August 18, 2006

Hello!

The word in Cheltenham is that the gypsies have
finally moved on. The good people of Cheltenham have
had their undies in a bunch since the gypsies' arrival
in June. Apparently, gypsies are filthy and ill
mannered. They hadn't taken over any parks near us
but I guess the law states that they may not be forced
out of public parks no matter how uncivilized they
are. Michael saw them once earlier in the summer when
he was on his way out of town for a cricket match. He
came home and told me all about how he saw "the
tinkers". That word sucked the air out of me. I
immediately thought it must not be politically
correct. I didn't reprimand him, however. How do I
know what is offensive to the tinkers? I don't even
know much about gypsies. Everything I know, I learned
from the movie, Chocolat and I'll tell you one thing,
if Johnny Depp parked his caravan out in my garden,
you wouldn't hear me complaining.

Our life has slowed down considerably. Michael and
Siobhan have just finished gathering data for their
huge and hideously cruel geography project. They'll
start crafting the drafts tomorrow. I predict this
process will be summarized in two words: living Hell.
Michael types so slowly I have to leave the room.
Both Ryan and Michael have been practicing keyboarding
over the summer. Ryan is really burning up the
keyboard at a whopping 10 words per minute. I don't
think Michael is nearly that fast. My guess is that
Siobhan will be so irritated with Michael's typing
that she'll take over. Thank God.

We did visit the Gloucester Cathedral last weekend.
What a beautiful place. The corridor scenes of Harry
Potter were filmed there so the kids really enjoyed
it, as well. We came home and rented the movie. It
was thrilling to have been to the cathedral and to
know the background of each shot. On a cathedral
level, Jim and I enjoyed this cathedral more than
Westminster or the other big one in London that I can
never remember the name. This was much less creepy
than either of those!

The kids and I also ventured to the store, John Lewis,
in Bristol. John Lewis is like the marriage of Target
and Nordstrom. It has everything you need for
everyday living, but the choices are all high end.
The place was swarming with back to school shoppers.
Even the little boys clothes were darling. The baby
section got me weak in the knees. Handbag department?
Won't even go there. The laundry section was oddly
large and had everything you'd ever need (or think
you'd need) perfectly packaged, to fool yourself into
thinking that laundry wasn't drudgery. Thankfully,
the painful expressions on the boys' faces kept
Siobhan and I on track. She immediately said to me
upon entering, "We need to come back on Saturday,
when Daddy can keep the boys."

Aidan is enjoying his first age-appropriate friend,
Joe. Such a grown up name: Joe. Cracks me up.
Anyway, yesterday, I picked up Aidan who was at Joe's
house for a bit. I came in and there they were,
laying on a bean bag chair together watching a pirated
copy of the new movie, Cars! Gotta love that. Of
course, Aidan wouldn't be building with blocks or
playing with puzzles. No, he'd be watching a pirated
movie. So Aidan. Before we know it, he'll be
loitering with friends outside the 7/11 grumbling
about his curfew.

I am fast and furiously trying to figure out what I
want to be when I grow up. I think I have two weeks
before the kids return to school. With Aidan in
school two (possibly full) days a week, I'm focusing
on coming out of retirement (again). So many options,
so little time! I'm always open for suggestions.

I'm pretty sure autumn has arrived here. We had to
turn the radiators on the other night. Please enjoy
the heat and sunshine for us. I cannot tell you how
much I miss the heat of summer.

Love,

T-Ann

August 9, 2006

Dear all,

We've had another fun filled couple of weeks. The
children's friend Asa was here for awhile which was a
lot of fun. The kids played base tag each night up on
Crickley Hill. Like most things with children, the
parents are the last to know, and apparently we almost
lost Asa down the side of Crickley Hill (more than a
hill, less than a mountain) more than once. It was
really more like kid Fear Factor than tag. The kids
left the hill each night exhausted and covered with
stinging nettle rashes. Good times. The days were
spent plotting to get Asa to move here permanently.

Our friends Devon and Morgan Mann arrived a few days
after Asa's departure. They arrived in the late
morning and just as we were ready to eat lunch, Aidan
pulled on Devon's pants for her attention, looked up
proudly at her and announced, "I just put all the
toilet paper into the toilet!" Same family.
Different country.

I think I can characterize their stay in one word:
cheese. The eating of the cheese was punctuated by a
five mile hike (with the big kids) through fields and
ancient burial mounds nearby, Cheltenham Cricket
Festival at Cheltenham College, drives through
quintessential Cotswold towns, and a trip to
Portsmouth to see the old military ships. All other
parts of the trip involved eating cheese, planning our
next cheese eating opportunity or recovering from too
much cheese. Oddly enough, behind our house, I found
an application for credit from a cheese shop. I find
buying cheese on credit a very curious thing. Is this
a sad commentary on society? Are Brits simply eating
cheese beyond their means? Do these people feel
pressured by their friends and neighbors who have
moved beyond the Cheddars and Swiss into the pricier
Bries and Stiltons? It could be a matter of
convenience, I suppose. An early morning run finds
you near the cheese shop, ravenous and without cash.
I'm not sure I understand. Do they do this in
Wisconsin?

In any event, we had good fun with the Manns. Our
children worship them. Life is kind of like a circus
with Mrs. Mann around. But, sadly, they had to leave.
I'm beginning to see a pattern here that I'm not sure
I fully understood two months ago: our visitors
return home. I think I was hoping that everyone who
visited would be trapped here, like on a computer
screen. A simple double click and they'd be back.
Those goodbyes get to me...

But happily, we have a lot to occupy our time over the
next few weeks. Namely, we get to dive into the 12-15
page, over-the-summer geography projects that Michael
and Siobhan have to complete by the beginning of
school. Can you stand it? I honestly am amazed that
they haven't run away by now. I think the promise of
a new and brutal sport keeps them here: field hockey.
They'll attend a field hockey camp the end of the
month and finally Siobhan will be able to play an
aggressive, fast paced sport. The boys play field
hockey in the winter. Rugby will be Michael and
Ryan's sport of choice this fall.

Aidan is getting more and more excited for school to
start. We purchased his little uniform (same one as
Ryan wears, minus the sock garters). SO cute. He was
a little scared trying on the seemingly endless
pieces. In fact, he burst into tears when it came
time to try on his boiler suit (janitor-like, one
piece coverall the kids wear so as not to get their
uniforms dirty-I would think smocks would suffice).
"Please don't boil me, Mommy!" he was yelling in the
shop. He LOVES his "underpants swim suit" (Speedo)!
A much needed break from his brothers' constant Speedo
whining. He has his school shoes, wellies and
plimsolls (cheap, ugly black Ked-like gym shoes). All
in all, I'd say that Aidan will do well in school. He
needs it more than the the older kids did. By age
three, I realized that Michael would be a wonderful
archaeologist-he was a dinosaur loving boy with
patience beyond his age. Siobhan at three was
creative, organized and bossy: a perfect CEO. Slick
talking Ryan with B.S. up to his eye balls, had all
the makings of a great politician. They still posses
these qualities and I wouldn't be surprised if they
each ended up in these careers as adults. Aidan's
strengths, however, are more in line with that of evil
dictator. Even while learning to pray, he seems to be
characteristically possessing his
one-day-I-will-rule-the-world attitude. He is
learning the Our Father and starts off well enough:
"Our Father. Are you up in heaven?" Its the ending
that has us a bit concerned, "For I am the kingdom and
the power and the Glory forever and ever." I think
the British Prep school will be helpful in smoothing
out those rough edges that I just can't seem to reach.


Ahhh. I best start my day. I've enjoyed writing to
you and watching the eight guys sitting in their van
parked outside our front window drinking tea and
eating biscuits (and now napping). They are with the
department of highways. Yesterday, they closed the
access road to our house and tore it all up. Today
they rest. Good to know, the world over, some things
remain consistent.

Love,

T-Ann

July 31, 2006

Hello, all!

I've been running around with my parents and haven't
written lately. Your inboxes were probably happy to
have a break! I'm back at it again, as my parents
have returned to the States for some much needed R and
R!

My parents arrived in a jet lag fog. The big kids
were in school and Aidan, seeing my mother arrive with
suitcases, assumed that I was leaving and that my mom
was going to babysit for an extended period of time.
He was less than warm in his welcome! The day was
rainy so we went for a drive. My mom and dad loved
the quaint villages, gardens and countryside. Aidan
kept an eye on my dad in the back seat and every time
he nodded off, Aidan would yell, "WAKE UP BOMPERS!"
(the grandchildren call my dad "Bompers" and my mom
"Maga"). Aidan had put himself on official jet lag
patrol: no sleeping until bedtime!

Getting them acclimated to the house meant showing
them where the stray cat lives in our garden and how
to chase him out of the house when he gets in, how to
flush the toilets (each one is different and the
handle fell off altogether when my mom flushed the
first time!), where the lights are and which ones are
temperamental. The hot and cold taps are reversed,
the shower tap needs explanation and you'll be trapped
inside the shower room if the door fully closes. The
smoke alarm goes off when we make toast. When it's
damp, laundry is hung all over the kitchen with fans
blowing on it. We have one regular cut key, the
others are skeleton keys, windows are propped open
with blocks or bricks. No coffee maker, just a coffee
press...It's like living in the fun house at a
carnival!

The Saturday after they arrived, Jim and I left Aidan
with my parents to attend the Parents' Day picnic at
Cheltenham College. We attended chapel in the morning
followed by tea. The clock struck noon and off we
went to the Corinth House marquee (tent) for "house
drinks". It was an elegant affair and the labor was
cheap: the boys were bartending! I did a double take
as a 12 year old classmate of Michael's asked it I
wanted a refill on wine. Of course, it comes as no
surprise that Ryan and Michael rolled up their sleeves
and were right in the thick of it. I find 9-13 year
old boys to be very heavy handed with wine. After
house drinks we tailgated with a few other families.
This was WAY too much fun. The kids participated in a
mile run for charity and the parents continued to
socialize. Later, the headmaster announced the
winning house and it was the kids' house, Corinth!
The Corinth house hadn't won in five or more years. I
attribute it to all the red entries the Pierce kids
earned. The entire day felt like a movie. It was
casual yet elegant with women dressed in lovely
dresses wearing gorgeous and impractical shoes (it was
a picnic, after all- I wore a white linen dress with
my very best, most formal, beaded flip flops) and men
in suits. Tents dotted the cricket pitch, the kids,
all in their Sunday Best uniforms, ran around
celebrating school's end. The rolling hills, wooded
area and pond with vintage row boats and its ornate,
cream colored iron foot bridge and the old brick
school buildings as a back drop were just too much.
At one point, Jim turned to me and said, "How the Hell
did we end up HERE?!"

My parents' stayed for nearly three weeks and we
enjoyed our time with them so much. We went to
Ireland about half way through their stay. Ireland
was in the midst of a heat wave and consequently, we
enjoyed hot and sunny weather the entire stay!
Undoubtedly, we spent more time at the beaches than
most tourists! We stayed at Jim's family's farm.
Jim's grandma (who Siobhan is named after) was born
and raised on this farm. The big kids and I (Jim had
met her several times before our visit) also were
blessed to know Jim's great aunt, Sister Ambrose, who
was also born and raised on the farm. We had the
opportunity to visit and get to know her while we
stayed with her many years ago at her convent in
London. She died just months after our visit. Jim
met Michael Buckley, his great uncle, while visiting
Ireland in 1989. Certainly there is a strong sense of
place at the Buckley Farm. Jim's twin cousins,
Phillip and Michael (Jim's age) each visited us with
their families.

The farm and house were given to Jim's great grandma
and grandpa as a wedding present from her parents (It
is only a farm away from the Pierce's farm and
house-now derelict). It looks typical. White house,
chimneys on both ends. The house has been lovingly
restored and is used by the brothers as a holiday
home. The exterior stone walls are two feet thick and
exposed in some rooms, allowing for deep window seats
and sills. The kitchen is heavenly with its pine
floors and dresser, harvest table, exposed stone walls
and its butter colored cooker tucked into what was
obviously a massive fireplace. Peat is still used in
the cooker for heat. It's a large home and even with
the eight of us and Jim's cousins, there was plenty of
room. The kids played with their cousins on the same
hill that their grand parents and great grandparents
played as children. It doesn't get much better than
that.

We saw breathtaking sites. The Irish coastline on the
Dingle Peninsula in the sunshine could have been
Greece. Green and blue water and rugged cliffs. We
went to Abbey Feale, where the Prindiville family is
from and to a Prendiville pub in nearby Castle Island.
Not sure if
the Prendivilles are related, but it was good for a
pint, anyway! Guinness is so much better in Ireland!

We visited a little old lady, Mary Ellen, a cousin of
the Buckley's who knew the Prindivilles (cousins to
Jim's grandma). Jim and I have known that we're
related since before we were married. (This concerns
the children...) Mary Ellen's sparkling eyes, brogue
and her 90+ years makes her cute as can be. Never
mind that it was before noon on a Sunday: we're
shuffled into her ancient parlor and out comes the
whiskey! She told my dad about his relatives in
Limerick who sold their farm because, "they weren't
fond of the work". That was good for a belly laugh!
We walked down to the end of the lane to a well/stream
where pilgrims have been coming for thousands of years
to drink the cool, clear water that is supposed to
cure throat and eye problems. My mom filled up all
the water bottles we had in the car-maybe that will
cure her cataracts! Mary Ellen put on her best dress
and hat and we took pictures.

The most memorable part of the trip was, hands down,
the good crack (lively conversation) and occasional
ghost story, shared each night around the harvest
table. Lots of stories and laughter. Kids, dogs,
cats getting "shooed" outside, cows and the Shannon
River in the distance and a Buckley VS Pierce,
disturbingly competitive soccer game (We had to donate
a kid to their team to even things out. We were
weighted down a bit by our three year old team member,
but Aidan was countered by the Buckleys' small
horse-sized puppy who played on their team and who bit
Siobhan in the rear end at one point-I told you it was
competitive!). All made for an unforgettable
vacation.

Spending time with my parents was just what I needed.
They enjoyed being here and seeing the kids. They
thought Michael had really matured, they loved seeing
the normally mature, Siobhan, acting silly and were
amazed at Aidan's speech. My dad managed to laugh
'til he cried almost every night as he sat back and
watched what he referred to as the T and Ry show.
Ryan is a talker and is INCAPABLE of doing what he is
asked without stopping (or never starting) to talk
about something that is completely irrelevant (his
piano teacher Adel, can attest to this, as can his
school teachers- I feel for them). I remind him 10
times to get back to fill-in-the- blank: sweeping,
washing dishes, taking out the garbage, getting into
the shower, going to bed, etc. Doesn't matter what it
is, Ryan must stop and say, "Just one more thing. Did
you ever see the Tom and Jerry where the cat...". It
made for some very funny evenings, but as I search the
dark and dusty corners of my mind, I do not recall one
time as a kid when not following directions was met
with such laughter on my father's part! My dad
assures me its only funny because Ryan is MY son and I
have to raise him!

It was hard to say good bye to my parents. Aidan
started wailing as they pulled out of the driveway!
Obviously, he warmed up at some point! Jim dropped
them off at Heathrow and picked up Asa Goldsmith a
friend of the kids from back home. Asa was spending
time with both sets of British grandparents near
London and is here for 4 or 5 days. The kids are in
heaven. Lots of kid giggles and 10-12 year old humor
going on. Caught them in a spitting contest out the
3rd story window. Yuck.

Love,

T-Ann

July 5, 2006

Hello, all!

I trust you all had a wonderful 4th of July. I hung
American flag bunting across the front of the house
and the kids went off to school. It was sports day at
school (the afternoon spent competing in various track
events) so the day had a different fun filled feel, at
least. The school flew the American flag-loved that!
We came home and grilled brats (from Costco-the most
American place here outside the American Embassy in
London). Siobhan informed me that it was the worst
4th of July she'd ever had. I agreed with her and
then she told me it annoys her when I agree with her
like that. Hmmm. Thankfully, we are now on the 5th
of July and our moment of self-pity has passed.

Last week, Jim took Michael and Ryan up in a four
seater plane that was piloted by a colleague. The men
all enjoyed the views of the cotswolds and while the
pilot avoided flying directly over GCHQ (the British
version of the CIA building here in Cheltenham), they
were able to fly near it and it was pretty cool. Its
in the shape of a donut-all steel and glass. Everyone
here assumes that Jim is working for the GCHQ. Its
the first thing people ask when they hear the accent
and find out we are residents, not tourists. This
pleases Jim to no end. He does this really bad, suave
voice (like he is James Bond) and says, "If I told
you, I'd have to kill you..." This coming from a guy
whose most dangerous mission each day is getting the
Volvo out of its parking spot! Anyway, the boys had
great fun flying, stopped for a pint on the way home
(which both Michael and Ryan love to say) and, as
Siobhan and I will take our turn in the small plane
next, I've started praying we don't meet anyone who
owns a hot air balloon!!

We also joined the Sandford Park Lido which is a very
dignified way of saying, "Public Pool". It is a
wonderful old facility. Built in the 1930's, it has
retained a very nostalgic feel. It reminds me of a
venerable country club. Hedges, fountains, flower
gardens, flagstone pathways, red tiled roofs,
manicured grass. Having said that, I assure you
that not one of you has ever swam in a pool as crowded
as this pool gets. It is the only outdoor pool around
for miles. EVERYONE was there during our recent heat
wave (85-90 degrees for days). The lack of parental
supervision rivals McDonaldland play areas, only with
water, but Aidan loves the children's pools (made
before the concept of zero depth or people suing for
falling onto flagstone surrounds), so I'll be happy to
take him. Jim and the big kids weren't as
enthusiastic as Aidan and I were. Apparently, there
was one too many floating band aids in the big people
pool.

The heat wave was lovely. It was perfect summer
weather. The only day it really got to me was
Thursday, when I spent 4 1/2 hours defrosting my tiny
little European freezer. It was so hot outside, the
sun from my conservatory beating in on me and there I
was with steaming pots of water, scraping the inside
of the freezer. I felt like I was in some kind of a
time warp. Who defrosts appliances anymore? I felt
like going home and apologizing to my cramped
side-by-side that I have wished would die since the
day we moved into our house. Lesson here: don't take
for granted your spacious, self-defrosting freezers!
Don't take for granted a fridge that can hold more
than three meals!

We went to Blenheim Palace on Sunday and enjoyed a
picnic. Blenheim is the birthplace of Winston
Churchill and is still a family home. It was
breathtaking. I've decided that I'm more of a palace
kind of girl than a castle kind of girl. Castles are
too drafty. Truth be told, though, the interior
decorator that lives inside of me really wanted a go
at the boat house. What a glorious conversion I could
do...

My parents come tomorrow! I cannot wait! It will be
fun to share our new life with them. The kids will
give them a tour of the school and we'll bum around
the cotswolds. My mom is used to being holed up with
our kids for long periods of time. My dad, not so.
We'll put him in charge of the grill. No doubt
they'll return to the States with a heightend
appreciation for peace and quiet!

Saturday is the last day of school for the kids.
Summer officially begins for the Pierces.

God Bless,

T-Ann

June 27, 2006

Good Morning Everyone!

I have a new email address. Our SBC account closed.
My new address is:
tapierce14@yahoo.com. I enjoy every newsy and
not-so-newsy email I get from you!

It has been all about Michael and Siobhan this week as
they enjoyed two school related overnights in one
week! British prep school at its finest. The first
overnight was an "outdoor experience" or as normal
people call it: camping. The kids enjoyed lots of
out door activities and then camped on the campus of
Cheltenham College right in front of the headmaster's
home as chance (?) would have it. They had a blast.
They were poorly chaperoned by "gappies" from New
Zealand. Gappies are kids in their "gap" year or year
off between senior school and university. Not all
kids take advantage of the gap year, but any kid who
is lucky enough to convince their parents that his/her
life will be richer by backpacking through Europe or
taking an easy job in another country and drinking for
a year has the time of their lives. So anyway, there
were a couple of teachers, but mostly the gappies were
supposed to be keeping all the 12 year olds in line.
Well, the gappies drank so much (mixing beer and
champagne I understand from Siobhan) they passed out
and the headmaster himself had to come out at 1:30a.m.
and 3:00a.m. to tell the kids to stop playing football
and go to bed. The kids woke up in the morning and
because they were hungry, finally had to wake up the
gappies who were, shall we say, "sleeping in"! Hard to
imagine a world where that can happen and people don't
lose their jobs the next day.

Our interviewing process for the schools here was
grueling. Each interview was four hours long (we
interviewed four schools). Cheltenham College's
interview was more than 6 1/2 hours because we liked
it enough to set up a separate interview at the senior
school. Believe me, there was plenty of time to ask
questions. At Dean Close, another fine prep school, I
asked about drug use. The answer didn't surprise me.
They didn't tolerate it, blah blah blah. When I asked
about underage drinking (the drinking age is 21), the
housemaster replied, "Well, we monitor how much we
give the kids and always offer non-alcoholic options."
So there ya go! I was stunned! Jaw on the ground.
That is Cheltenham College's policy as well, but by
the time we got to that interview, I was able to hide
my disbelief. And don't think I can't hear all of you
chuckling about my concern over underage
drinking...its different when its your own kids!

Saturday, the boys and I spent the day at our friends
the Shortts house out in the country (Siobhan was off
with friends). Their home has the most spectacular
views of the cotswolds. The boys, along with Charlie
Shortt, the very cool 14 year old friend, disposed of
a dead fox on their property. This was done by
stabbing it with a pitch fork and tossing him into the
woods. In Boyland, its pretty hard to top that and
just when the day couldn't get any better, Dennis
Shortt (the dad) took us all for a helicopter ride!
It was wonderful. At first, I was a bit nervous.
Lets face it, the newspaper articles always start
off, "It was supposed to be a fun sight seeing ride,
BUT...". I relaxed after seeing how beautiful the
countryside is from the air! The manor homes,
castles, hillsides, sheep, poppy fields and lavender
fields in bloom...It all made me realize that there
are worse ways to go than plummeting to your death
into a field of English lavender! Ryan, the night
before, told me that he was missing living in a
neighborhood, running around with all his friends
during the summer. That evening, he told me it was
one of the best days of his life! There are trade
offs.

Sunday, Michael and Siobhan went to the senior school
for their "24 hours". It is actually, a 28 hour taste
of life at the senior school intended to have the kids
have so much fun, they choose to go to senior school
at Cheltenham College. They had the whole senior
school at their disposal and did all sorts of sports
and fun activities. They slept at their prospective
"houses". The houses are alot like our fraternities
and sororities. They are free standing beautiful
homes run by housemasters (well Queens, Siobhan's
house, is lovely anyway. Southwood, although beautiful
from the outside, is like a sparsely furnished frat
house without the stale beer smell). Being day
students, they go there to do homework, practice
piano, eat, change into sport uniforms, relax,
hangout, etc, but not to sleep over normally. The
kids had so much fun and were WELL supervised. Just
before he left to go to the 24 hours, Michael realized
he lost his track suit bottoms which he was supposed
to be wearing (actually, he accused ME of losing them
which I found to be a new and interesting twist on the
taking-responsibility-for-your-actions policy) so life
here at home was a bit ugly before he left, thus
making boarding school life even more appealing than
it already is! And, it was bound to happen to one of
us in public sometime: Siobhan was served spotted
dick as a snack. There are so many jokes there I
won't even waste your time...

Life at school is winding down. The house
competitions at school, however, are heating up. Like
in Harry Potter, each child belongs to a house (in the
junior school there isn't a physical "house" they go
to). Our kids belong to the Corinth House. The
houses compete for points throughout the term. House
sporting events earn you points as do red entries
(getting caught doing something good). Demerits (like
getting caught with those pesky, droopy, wool socks or
mud on your trousers) will lose your house points.
Both Ryan and Michael have earned red entries for
their houses. Siobhan has not and you can imagine how
much this bothers her! The last day of school is
parents day and the last day of competition. The
families all picnic together (aging rock stars,
fashion moguls and the Pierces) and the kids change
into their house competition uniforms and compete for
their final points. It is so Harry Potter! Hopefully,
there will be no dragons to slay. Truth be told,
Corinth isn't even close to winning, but it is really
storybook, nonetheless.

Jim returned home safely from the States last night
with bags bursting with tennis racquets, books and
sheets (much cheaper back home), lots of cinnamon
which we cannot get here and Dunkin Donuts French
Vanilla coffee. My world just got a little better!

Lots of love,

T-Ann

June 18, 2006

Dear all,

I hope all you fathers out there enjoyed your special
day. We had a nostolgic day in the Forest of Deans
riding on an old steam engine. Aidan was in heaven!
Certainly one highlight was the gift store that had in
stock every Thomas the Tank engine thing you could
ever imagine. I cannot begin to describe Aidan's pure
joy. Look around your room right now. I can
guartantee that anything you can name has been made
with a Thomas the Tank Engine logo. Thankfully, we
were able to pull him away pretty easily when it was
time to watch the steam engine roll into the station.

Michael and Siobhan are packing for their overnight at
Cheltenham College. It is a camping experience quite
different from Prairie Crossing Charter School! The
list of items to bring is mind boggling despite the
fact that all camping equipment is provided! Posh,
posh! In Prairie Crossing, the kids are encouraged to
bring as little as possible on their camping trips.
They are there for the environmental aspect. They run
with sticks. Very old fashion. Here, for one night,
they need three sweatshirts, three pairs of pants,
shorts, pajamas, hat, mittens, camping pads, sleeping
bags, insect repellent (?) sun screen, bathing suit,
towel, toiletry bag, I could go on. They will have
fun, though, and are doing lifesaving and kayaking (in
the swimming pool) among other activities.

Ryan was able to play in two cricket matches this
week. He is rarely seen without his cricket bat. He
just loves the game. Aidan and Ryan share this love
and together they play cricket in our garden almost
every night. Aidan with a bat (albeit plastic) is
scary and downright dangerous, but Ryan is very
patient and I love to watch them play together. The
highlight of Ryan's week was playing in the away match
on Saturday: he got to ride on the coach busses!
Additionally, the tea at the school they played was
"the best". They served jelly donuts, chocolate
sandwiches, chips, popsicles (ice lollies), juice and
hot dogs.

Things around Cheltenham are still all about the World
Cup. Last time England played, I kept hearing this
low noise. Hardly audible, but irritating- like a
motor running constantly. I couldn't figure it out
until I went outside and walked down the block. The
noise was an entire city singing an unsynchoronized
chorus of the England Fight Song! After the win, the
shirtless men and their girlfriends sporting tissue
tee halter tops and fake tans stumbled down our street
singing at the top of their lungs. Aside from that,
the latest news is that the post man's bike was stolen
and a man named Paul John George Ringo Crawford was
charged with robbing a man outside the Burger King.
We must be in England.

Currently, we are having the hallways painted in the
house. The sherbert green walls that I honestly
thought I could live with haunted me. Had to go.
Couldn't do two years with them. Now they are a
beautiful historical white in keeping with the
Regency townhouse that it is. I can already feel the
house stretching and moaning and coming alive with its
makeover! It so badly wanted to be stately and
elegant again! The halls go up four flights so this
will be so much more cheerful and will be a nuetral
background for all our priceless art (note to self:
must buy priceless art...) Most importantly, it will
allow our french door that leads into our back garden
to really "pop". Currently, it is shrouded in green
and the beautiful garden out back is lost.


Our garden is very English. It is walled on all
sides. Ivory and pale pink roses, flowers in shades of
purple and at least four different types of ancient
ivy grow wild up the sides. Clearly this ivy has
remained undisturbed for generations until we moved
in. A few weeks ago, a cricket ball (larger than a
golf ball, smaller than a tennis ball) got lost in the
ivy and the boys ripped down a section in their
pursuit of it. Thankfully, I came out in time to stop
the massacre (and then started my own). Cricket balls
have now been replaced with cans of used tennis balls
(so as to ensure little to no bounce!) purchased at
the thrift store around the block.

We sit outside with a glass of wine at night and
listen to the church choir practice or the classical
music from the lovely and very civilized middle aged
couple's home next door. The cat who adopted us sits
at our feet. We drink in the fragrant roses and
flowers and relax. So peaceful. Then, like a needle
screeching across your favorite album, the children
discend with their sporting equipment and their needs.
The rest of the evening is spent guarding our drinks
and heads from various fly balls and disciplining
those that are still prone to throwing rocks. We have
just ordered a sweet bistro set (soft green). Not too
fussy and best of all, it will allow us to put our
drinks up on a table and at least LOOK civilized!

Ahh. I digress into an Under the Tuscan Sun moment.
Without the recipes. I miss my dad this Fathers Day.
We are looking forward to my parents arrival in a few
weeks. I was, at first, feeling pressure to find the
perfect pub for my dad to "get to know the locals".
Then I realized its always good to give guests a
job...

Jim is in the States this week so if you see a guy
that looks like him, it just might be him. An
emergency poker game has been called.

Love,

T

June 12, 2006

Hi!

We finally have gorgeous summer like weather here with
temps in the 80's and lots of sun. It is wonderful.
I find it perfect, but Jim is out buying fans as we
speak.

The sun, coupled with the start of the World Cup has
brought new life into Cheltenham. First of all,
people are just as crazy about their soccer as we
think they are. Yesterday, Michael had a home cricket
match at the same time England played in the World
Cup. As we walked to school, it was almost eerie: no
cars on the street, no people, no noise at all (until
they won). We just needed some tumbleweed to complete
the effect. Two hours later I walked home (before the
cricket match ended-I'll get to that later) and the
town was hopping! Lots and lots of drunk English men
and women about! Mostly men without shirts. Everyone
complaining, that while England won, they did it
poorly. World Cup continues through the summer.

I left Michael's cricket match early because I
honestly could not sit one more minute. A boring
lecture in college still meant that you had pen and
paper to doodle. This was terrible. I left before
tea. (Jim said the parents had a nice spread for tea.
They make the kids eat at the other end of the pitch,
with lesser quality foods!) I'm thinking a cooler of
cold beverages could really help move the game along
for us next time. One dad we were sitting with said
that even the clapping for your team is done in a lazy
way. Specifically, he corrected Jim as Jim clapped
too enthusiasitcally, "No. Even the clapping is slow
and lazy. Don't put any life into it." Jim didn't
make the end of the game, either. Four or more hours
is just too long.


The best part of the weather is that I'm now observing
a most curious cultural phenomenon: ladies lunching.
This looks NOTHING like Devon and I racing over to the
hospital cafe in Prairie Crossing for the world's best
tuna melts and kettle fried potato chips every chance
we could. This is refined. These are lovely women in
floral dresses with matching shoes and purses. They
have perfetly done hair. They walk by our house and I
want to stare! Even if Devon grew her hair into a
suberbly coiffed bob (wouldn't you like to see that!)
and I traded in my comfortable Dansko and Birkenstocks
for slingbacks and strappy sandals, we could never
pull off "lunching". These women have it in their
blood. Like blue eyes or blond hair. They have the
ability to "lunch" because their mothers lunched as
did their grandmothers before them. I want to observe
them, but can't get too close. I pretty much eat cold
pizza and get to the next item on my things to do
list! All that preparation seems like a lot of effort
just to eat. Interesting to watch, but I'll have to
leave this one for the Brits.

Michael and Siobhan had a dance on Friday night. Very
cute. Very bitter Ryan stayed behind. I'm not sure
who wants to be older more Aidan or Ryan! M and S
each had friends over before hand. It was nice to
have a lot of kids in the house like we used to and
nice to get to know their friends. We'll have some of
Ry's friends over next weekend.

This week is Aidan's 3rd birthday. Without meaning
to, his gifts became quite British: a wooden double
decker bus, a plastic cricket set and his own tea pot
(for decaf tea-he loves it with milk and honey and
actually has become quite demanding regarding it!)

Have a great week and start of the summer for all you
with kids out of school. Additionally, I'd like you
all to know that my cousin Michelle who was diagnosed
with the brain tumor has received good news: it is
not malignant. Thank you for praying for her!

Love,
T

June 4, 2006

Hello, all!

We our home from our wonderful time in Skiathos,
Greece. The island was small and picturesque. It
was filled with pine trees, which we thought
surprising. It reminded us of Alaska, that kind of
rugged beauty, only with beautiful seas of green, blue
and turquoise surrounding it. We enjoyed perfect
weather. No rain! Our flight was less than three
hours! Hard to believe!

We arrived and were dropped off about a quarter of a
mile from our hotel. The gravel road was too narrow
and winding for the bus to maneuver. It was a pretty
road (that really reminded us of the area near Jim's
cousin Paul and his wife Ginny's home in Willow
Alaska) heavy with the scents of wild flowers and
roses. Heavenly. The hotel was a small complex of
small studios of white stucco and red tile roofs with
a bar and pool. There was alot of space for the kids
to play. We settled in and got right down to the pool
to enjoy the sunshine and a cool beverage. We had our
first experience of just how highly revered children
are in Greece when almost immediately, the boys, who
were playing soccer in a grassy area near the pool,
kicked a soccer ball into Jim's beer bottle and glass
(poor Jim!) shattering them into a thousand pieces all
over the ground and into the swimming pool itself.
The bartender jumps over with broom and assures me
that if its good luck to break a wine glass in Greece
it must be good luck to break a beer glass. And the
person stepping on the glass in the pool? Not so much
luck...


Honestly, though, the children were highly regarded.
Everywhere were comments on our large family and blue
eyes. Aidan especially was treated like a king!
Everyone wanted to touch and stroke his white hair!
After an infancy spent with doctors, chiropractors,
physical therapists and cranio sacral therapists all
manipulating his skull, he is very sensitive to people
touching his head! He grew so used to it, he wouldn't
even notice after awhile! It was sweet.

Our first morning we attended a short informational
gathering. The man speaking had a map of the island
and was helping to get us oriented. He pointed out
where the nude beaches were. I thought Aidan wasn't
paying attention when he commented loudly, "I like to
be naked". Ryan wanted to die. Speaking of nude
beaches, Jim was all prepared with a pair of really
dark sunglasses. He had, undoubtedly, created a
topless episode of Baywatch in his mind. Quite the
contrary. It was much more like an "R" rated episode
of The Golden Girls. The all day season finale where
Betty White and friends hook up with aged men and
spend the day at the beach changing and being topless
and doing lots of things that you'd do if you were
naked/nearly naked and elderly at the beach: undress,
reach, stretch, walk around, smoke, bend down for the
novel you dropped, re-dress, etc. Nothing that we
didn't mind having the boys see! Wasn't really going
to be anything to build a dream on, that was for sure!
Jim was famous for saying things like, "Siobhan!
Don't turn around!" Of course, she'd turn around only
to see an old man pulling on his Speedo. Yuck. No
courtesy 180 degree turn? Jim had such high hopes.
His one word summed it all up: Brutal.

One day, Jim took Michael, Siobhan and Ryan to Athens
for the day. Two hours by boat, two hours by bus and
then to see the Parthenon. An amazing experience for
them. A chance of a lifetime. They will probably
appreciate it more as they get older. What an
opportunity. Meanwhile, Aidan and I went into town to
dutifully pay homage to the Greek God of really cheap
shoes.

While in Athens, thankfully, Jim and the kids were
unaffected and, in fact, weren't even aware, there
was a terrorist attack. A bomb went off in the city
sending debris for up to 20 meters. Tragic. When I
packed for the trip, I ended up putting away some of
the clothes the boys had put out for themselves. They
had some British football jerseys and American looking
shirts. I put them back chosing plain t-shirts. I
didn't want to stand out any more than we already did.
No American flag shirts. Siobhan saw one man in
Skiathos Town (the main town) with a t-shirt that had
a picture of the twin towers with the Nike swoosh that
read, JUST DO IT. Frightening.

On a lighter note: Our hotel room was awful! Because
I am famously cheap and I planned the trip, we learned
a cruel reality: Do not go cheap in Greece.
Apparently, most accomodations are simple there. Go
cheap and you are now one step from camping only
without the basic essentials. I got a serious talking
to from Jim who really believes that he has arrived to
a place in his life that he doesn't want to stay in a
place where "the first roll of toilet paper is
complimentary". Yeah, it was pretty bad. Even I was
grossed out and had to swear to not be so cheap in the
future...we'll see. We had four hand towels for all
our toweling needs for 7 days! I did bring our own
beach towels. The beds were really like cots. You
made your own beds and the blankets were wool. I'm
guessing they weren't dry cleaned with each new guest.
Because there were too many of us for one room, we
had to split up and the room Ryan "called" (because
it was bigger, of course) for the boys ended up with
unpleasant smells (I'm being polite) accompanied by
sewer problems. At one point, three sewer caps were
opened in front of their room and were emptied by
hand. All day. Into buckets. There was nothing to
do but laugh and thank God for my patient husband!

This was a small price to pay, I reminded everyone, to
spend a week near a beach that is considered the most
beautiful in Greece and always ranks among the top ten
most beautiful beaches in the world. No hotels on the
beach, so it feels secluded. Besides, the food was
fabulous! Michael ate nothing but squid and octopus!
After a couple of months in England, we were missing
really tasty food!

That's all! If I can get my personal assistant and
professional social butterfly to show me how to post
pictures, I'll send some photos of the Pierces on
holiday.

Love,

T-Ann

May 25, 2006

Good morning!

Surley, the excitement of the upcoming Cheese Rolling
Contest is felt around the world? I do know that
Monday (another bank holiday for us) it will be on all
the US news stations as their "human interest" story
at the end of the broadcasts. Every year it is
mentioned and every year I would think, "What kind of
people live in a town where they run down the side of
a hill, after a wheel of cheese, for fun?" Now I
know. WE live there.

Since living here, it has become much more than a
human interest story for me. I know the rules (There
are none). I know the object (Not to actually CATCH
the cheese, but to be the first make the bottom of the
hill, after the cheese, with all the bones you arrived
with intact and tucked safely into your skin). There
are tons of broken bones each year. One man dominates
the event and has won most every year since he was 18.
He is now in his forties. His family is so proud.
But what I couldn't appreciate before we moved here
was the motivation: the winning of the cheese wheel!
I LOVE Double Gloucester cheese! Who wouldn't?! It
is fabulous and to win a WHOLE WHEEL of it? Please!
Worth every bit of pain, not to mention bragging
rights...

Sadly, we will not be here for the High Holiday.
While it was difficult to discern, we have decided to
spend a week on the Greek isle of Skiathos, instead.
These Yanks need some vitamin D. It has been raining
some brutally cold, Seattle-in-November rain. For a
week. Everyone here apologizes about the weather as
soon as they hear my accent. They all swear that it
is highly unusual. It is bone chilling and you come
home dripping wet. This rain looks straight at your
umbrella and laughs in a very sinister way. It is
evil-secretly plotting to break everyones' spirits...
Our gutters backed up and leaked into Siobhan's room.
So nice to shrug your shoulders and have it be the
landlord's problem. In Tewkesbury, there are stranded
tourists unable to get out of town due to flooding.
We looked at a home there, and were made aware that
the kids would have to board at school if the river
began to rise and threatened to flood. They'd be
boarding now (this infuriates Ryan who so desparately
wants to board). Yesterday, I had four or five inches
cut off my hair because I was so sick of drying it
everytime I went out! This is serious. Thank God for
tea and shortbread cookies. They are my refuge.

We'll return on June 2nd with all sorts of stories
that only flying on a small charter plane (with
small-charter-plane-phobic Jim) and vacationing on an
island where you aren't allowed to flush toilet paper
can bring.

Wish me luck!

Love,

T-Ann

May 19, 2006

I have been quickly corrected, mainly by loved ones
with, I personally think, too much time on their
hands. First of all, my cousin, Billy, an architect,
informs me the Roman Baths were built in the 1st
century AD. If I have painted too graphic of a
picture for you, you should think toned, muscular
Roman warriors. Now. Go finish your lunches.
Secondly, Dennis, was concerned that I was having
trouble writing "checks" not "cheques" as I should be
spelling them. Jim is concerned that I have offended
sweaty, hairy Italian men the world over. So, I do
apologize if I offended anyone that fits this
description in the writing of this email. Lastly, I
hear from our dear friend, and British prep school
survivor, Richard, that this school will indeed make
the kids well adjusted. While I respect him and his
opinion, he has taken QUITE A FEW hits to the head
while playing a lifetime of rugby. And maybe a
cricket bat to the side during recess!

I stand corrected. Have a great day.

T

May 18, 2006

Hello, Everyone!

Its a sad and rainy day here as Sir Paul McCartney and
his wife Heather announced that they will be
separating and working toward a quicky divorce. No
prenup. EVERYONE told him to get one. Lots of
chattering going on about this. "Can you believe, NO
PRENUP?" A much bigger story than the Queen's 80th
birthday. At 80 years of age, its hard to villanize
the Queen. Heather on the other hand...To cheer
myself up, I bought a beautiful bouquet of pink
peonies, the sun came out and I think I'm over it all
now. Whew!

We enjoyed a visit to Bath last weekend. Touring the
ancient Roman baths that were built almost 2,000 years
before Christ was born (I think. Aidan was kind of
distracting) was an amazing experience. You can drink
some water that has been filtered (it tastes awful)
and, if you disregard the signs telling you NOT to
touch the water, you can reach into the bath itself
and feel its warmth. I was really thrilled with the
whole day until we went to a pub for lunch and just
before we ate, I got this horrifying vision of all
these gross, naked, hairy Italian men all packed in
there taking a steamy bath. It almost ruined my lunch
(the fish and chips were too good, though)! Anyway,
the Roman Baths will never be the same for me. Glad I
could share...

Overall, we are doing well adjusting. Writing checks,
buying gas and slowly realizing that an umbrella is
crucial even if it's hot and sunny are things that I
never thought I'd ever have trouble learning. I
always seem to be at the mercy of shop owners and
others to help me out. I had to leave my pride back
in the States, it seems! Easily the biggest
adjustment is the culture at the school.

I want to preface all this by reminding everyone that
the kids attend a VERY traditional school. This is a
school that even the British consider conservative,
so not all British schools would be like this. Having
said this, I sometimes wonder what world we've stepped
into!! Cheltenham College is in the business of
churning out well educated, well rounded ladies and
gentlemen. They are extremely strict about some
things. Children must be well groomed. They think
it's very important that the little boys not let their
itchy wool socks droop at their ankles. Pushing up
the sleeves of your hot sweater (it's gotten in the
upper 70's here) is not tolerated. The girls must
have their hair pulled back and nothing but silver or
gold studs in their ears. The kids jump up and stand
at attention when an adult enters the room (LOVE THIS!
We've tried implementing this policy at home but with
some pretty pathetic results). Boys and girls are
quite segregated in terms of lack of group projects,
playing at recess, sports, etc., so there is a marked
drop in maturity levels in dealing with the opposite
sex compared to their counterparts back home. This is
particularly difficult for Michael and Siobhan who are
used to sharing a ton friends and having a full house
all the time. The teachers can yell, call kids names
and even hitting (while frowned upon) will not get you
fired. Of course not all teachers are like this.
They have some amazing teachers. The kind they make
movies about! What they are completely lax about is
supervision. The kids are not supervised for 45
minutes at recess (even if it is indoors due to bad
weather). They are unsupervised during the changing
times before and after gym. Kids can get bullied
during these times and it is considered a part of
growing up. I mean SERIOUS bullying. Again, it is
not condoned, but I had a teacher in the senior school
tell me (after I told her I was appalled by this) that
she didn't understand what I meant. How could
children work out their problems if adults were
present? She could not believe that I could have a
problem with this. HUGE cultural difference. Hard to
wrap my head around it. So you'll get in trouble if
your tie is crooked or your socks have fallen down,
but on the playground there is no adult to monitor
behavior. Wow. It is truly a different world from
what we are used to. I had a highly charged meeting
with the headmaster regarding this. He was
sympathetic and I do believe he is trying to solve
these problems (he recognizes them as problems) but
his hands are tied in some ways. There is HUGE
partental support for this kind of education and that
is why little has changed in the 170(?) years of the
school.

The flip side to this is that the kids really learn!
They are held to high standards. They take Latin
(Siobhan only this term), French, chemistry, physics,
math, English, geography. And the kids are even
realizing the benefits of uniforms (for instance our
kids look just like the kids getting out of the
Maserati in the morning!) Siobhan likes the fact that
there are minimal distractions in the classroom. It
allows her to concentrate. Where did she come from?
Jim and I both donated the "too much fun" gene, not
"overachiever" gene. Somehow one must have snuck in
from my mom's side.

By the way, I was at the travel agent trying to book
our "half term" holiday. We'll need to take the kids
out of school one day. The agent told me I had better
get permission from the Headmaster before I take the
kids out! "You've got to be kidding!", I shrieked.
Nope. Had to go in, ask permission and was told that
they do not condone such behaviour, but because I
didn't know any better, they'd allow it this time.
They can fine you! Unbeliveable. Makes me want to
take the kids out early every holiday. Without
asking. Can't wait til next time: all four kids will
have the flu...

The parents I have been meeting are wonderful. Most
are very down to earth, funny and welcoming.
Occassionally, I find myself in a conversation that
starts something like this, "Isn't it hard to find
good staff these days?". I think," Why, yes it is.
I've been looking for my staff for years. Never found
them." The best was when one woman was telling me
(she was truly sincere) that she is amazed that she
keeps her staff busy eight hours a day cooking,
cleaning and doing laundry. Hmm. Very sincerely I
replied, " I certainly CAN imagine!"

Aidan visited his nursery at Cheltenham College this
week. He'll start a couple mornings in the fall. He
did pretty well! He let me leave, but did start to
cry about half way into it. I've been trying to say
things like "lorrie" instead of "truck and "garden"
instead of "yard" so Aidan can better understand his
new friends and teachers here. Last week, we put his
shoes on and he went out to play in the garden. When
I came out, he was standing in one of our raised beds
among the flowers. I asked what he was doing. He
said,"But you told me to play in the garden!" The
only time he's EVER done what I asked!

Lastly, I ask that you keep my cousin, Dan
Prindiville's daughter, Michelle, in your prayers.
She was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Monday. There
are more questions than answers right now, but it does
appear to be operable.

Hugs to all!

T

May 11, 2006

Rounders

Well, I'm happy to announce that Siobhan, without ever
trying out, made the A team of girl's Rounders.
Clearly this is some kind of mean spirited joke that
the Brits are playing on me because I think this sport
is a disgrace to girls. It probably doesn't have much
to do with the fact that she isn't afraid of catching
balls and can actually THROW a ball. She played her
first game today. They won. I asked if all the girls
jump up and down and hug each other like in the US.
That seemed highly unlikely (that's not all that
lady-like, let's face it). I wasn't quite prepared
for the answer. No. They win, gather in a group and
the captain gives three robust "hip, hip hooray's" for
the other team. Then the other team does the same for
their team. Siobhan is already thinking this is very
lame and is glad when it's over. She starts to walk
off the pitch and everyone heads off in a different
direction. She asked where they were going. To tea!
Yes, the teams share little sandwiches, cupcakes and
tea afterwards and then officially end by everyone
joining in a big "Good-bye"! Can you stand it? Jim,
Mr. Competitive, hoped that at the very least, the
losing team had to SERVE the winning team cupcakes.
They didn't. This concerns him. How will the girls
ever know how awful it feels to lose? We're all glad
Jim isn't raising the kids on his own, aren't we?

Michael then informed me that they don't have"half
time" during cricket matches. They break for tea.
They, too, eat sandwiches and snacks and drink tea.
Michael, so culturally tolerant, has really embraced
this.

It's all so polite! Our local paper (which we read a
day late because it shows up at the newstand after
11:00am) kills me. The lead story is always about one
of three things: a domestic situation involving the
biting or severing of body parts (mostly ears), the
youth of today who are ruining the world with all of
their mountain bike or skate board riding or a pet
that has had some horrible, graphic wound inflicted
upon it by irresponsible youth, irresponsible pet
owners' pets or snakes. There are only photos of the
dogs. The rest of the paper is filled with stories of
"crime" in the area and interviews with people who
hate Tony Blair. Just before we moved here, Jim
brought home a paper. There was a story about a
drunken man who broke into a home of a single woman at
4:30am. Sounds scary, doesn't it? Yes. He broke in
and demanded the woman make him a cup of tea! Last
weekend, Prince Charles' step-daughter was married.
There was one small picture of the bride and groom.
One small, unflattering picture of Camilla and Prince
Charles and a picture of the priest who married them
on her bike with her cute straw basket on the front,
on the way to the wedding. The whole article was
about the priest: how she felt, her opinions of
Camilla and Charles. Not that the priests aren't
important (I better watch how I word this...ours are
receiving this email), but I think there isn't a whole
lot of journalist sense going on. Not much meat.

I wish you were all here to laugh at/with me as I
settle into this country. Missing you!

God bless,

T

May 8, 2006

Good Morning!

It's a rainy morning in England. We had a few bright,
sunny days here last week. At school, the kids are
required to wear sun hats (the lower grades wearing
those safari-type hats with the panels down the back
of the neck). It cracks me up! One American woman I
spoke with commented on how optimistic it all was.
That and all the convertables they drive here!
Honestly, the sun, although warm, couldn't have coaxed
one freckle of out me and everyone is rushing about
looking for their hats and sun screen.

The boys are enjoying celebrity status due to their
keen ability to throw a ball. The kids at school are
amazed at the distance they can throw! Playing
baseball and football on our Village Green back home
has made them super stars! Siobhan is playing
Rounders which is a girls' sport that I have decided
is an insult to girls and women everywhere. It is
similar to baseball on a much smaller pitch (field).
The girls all have mini bats that look like paper
towel tubes with handles. They swing one handed at a
small ball but are allowed to run and tag the "bases"
(poles sticking out of the ground) even if they do not
make contact with the ball. What is THAT?! While I
admit that this is the one sport at which I probably
could have excelled, it really is pathetic. It seems
like just a way to keep the girls occupied while the
boys play the "real" sport: cricket.

Aidan is enjoying the cat we have "adopted". One
sunny morning last week I was being a domestic goddess
ironing shirts (Its a new hobby I've taken up since
dry cleaning one shirt here costs $6.00-I'm getting
better at it, too! Only one quarter sized burn on my
forearm this time). Aidan was out playing in our back
garden with the cat. He came in and was telling me
all about the little snail he found (there are tons of
them here). He asked, "Should I eat it?" I said,
"NO!". A little louder he said, "Should I?". I said,
"NO!" Louder and firmer still he said, "SHOULD I?".
I said, "NO!". He replied quietly, "Well, l already
did." Dear God! WE'RE NOT EVEN IN FRANCE!

I went shopping this weekend while the big kids were
at school. It was such diffferent experience than at
home. I tried a dress on and, as always, was wishing
my middle was more firm and flat and less squishy.
The sales woman was assuring me how much the dress
flattered me. I said I wasn't sure. She replied,
"Listen, you're in England now. You're not in
America. You don't need a flat stomach. Have you
seen the women around here? Have you seen what they
wear? You have a lovely figure for England!" I'm not
sure if that was a compliment or not, but I bought the
dress!

We got our bed this week. Now we're officially moved
in. The bed was the last piece of furniture Jim had
to put together. I think. It is nice to have a room
that no longer resembles a dorm room although my
college roommate, Patti, wrote to refresh my memory
just as to how bad our apartment was. She was right.
The bedroom here, at it's worst, still had heat!
Without furniture to be put together I'm hoping Jim's
language will improve and, in turn, AIDAN'S language
will improve. It's embarrassing!!!

We went for a walk up Crickley Hill, a park five
minutes from our home yesterday. How beautiful. At
the top you look out onto the green countryside dotted
with little stone cottages and can see the hills of
Wales in the distance. There is an ancient wall that
was created in 3500 BC. Amazing. To picnic on the
site of an ancient city is just unbelievable! The
kids loved all the climbing. Even Aidan held his own!
The day was sunny and clear and made for a fantastic
afternoon.

Siobhan's honeymoon is over. Two best friends that
were at first welcoming decided to try to make life
miserable for her. It is typical 12 year old girl
stuff: whispering, pointing and laughing, excluding
her, playing small tricks on her. It breaks my heart.
She has a positive attitude, but it is, of course, a
terrible thing to live through at any time let alone
when you are new to a school and country. I spoke
with the headmaster Friday afternoon and by Saturday
morning all of her teachers had been made aware. I
was impressed by his quick response and yet,
ultimately, Siobhan has to deal with it on her own.
Say a prayer for her. She'll need alot of strength
this week! My guess is that by next week she'll have
settled in with some new friends. Also, she does have
a couple of nice friends that she sees in a couple of
classes. Next weekend is an Exeat Weekend which means
they don't have school or chapel. Perfect timing.

MIssing all of you,

T

May 2, 2006

Hello!

Our latest update goes as follows:

Saturday, the kids went to school which was very
wierd. I called to confirm pick up time because as I
have mentioned, this school is is impossible to figure
out. We arrived fifteen minutes early only to find
that Ryan had been released TWO HOURS earlier and
Michael and Siobhan had been waiting fifteen minutes.
Nice.


Sunday we went for a drive and explored an ancient
castle ruins. It was wonderful. I'd like to install
a moat to the house when we return to Prairie
Crossing. Peggy and David (our much missed
neighbors), whatdaya think? Siobhan thinks that
"Princess Siobhan" has a nice ring to it. Michael and
Ry were amazed with all the torture techniques. Me,
too. I bet children were well behaved, never lost
their daily planners or brand new coats! Later, we
drove into Wales. We learned three things about our
short drive into Wales: First, it looks an awful lot
like England. Second, the signs are all written in
English and Welsh (a language consisting mostly of
consonant letters) and thirdly, if you miss your exit,
you will drive for up to 20 miles before you can turn
around. We topped off our excursion with a very
American trip to TGI Fridays to get burgers we all
craved. They were terrible (of course) and Ryan threw
his up all night.

Monday, Jim enjoyed his third bank holiday since
we've been here. We took a much needed drive to
Costco. I felt as if I had come home again. We
stocked up on items every expat needs so as not to
completely embrace their host country: ziploc bags
(they have these shifty, not-to-be-trusted "press and
seal" bags here), paper napkins, hot dogs (although
they said American recipe, these are clearly hot dogs
only my dad would enjoy-very smokey with miniscule
pieces of I'm-not-sure-what that require extra
chewing-but they'll do the trick) and hamburger that
isn't $17 a half pound! Costco is located near the
docks in Bristol so its also fun to hang out in one of
England's seedier neighborhoods. It feels very "Sid
and Nancy".

Today Aidan and I went to purchase MORE uniforms
pieces. Apparently the kids didn't have enough. For
instance, Siobhan needed The Gym Skirt. She wears
that when they play rounders in gym. I had only
purchased the track suit, the gym uniform, the
swimming suit, the two pairs of shoes and the match
uniform. Please do not forget that none of these work
as a team uniform. Aidan and I also spent time in the
Cheltenham Art Museum. That was fun. They have
childrens areas throughout so little kids can enjoy
the museum as well. Its stocked with everthing a two
year old would need to use to get creative: thumb
tacks, staples, stapler, wire, scissors, glass jars.
Nothing sparks a toddler's imagination like office
supplies or a trip to the emergency room.

I'm off to replace the fountain pen that Michael has
already broken and pick them up from school. God
bless all of you and take a deep breath of that good
'ole American air for me!

Love,

T

April 28, 2006

Good Morning America!

The kids are off to school and Aidan's fever has dropped quite a bit. We have survived the first week of school, so to speak. They still go to school on Saturdays and mandatory church with their class on Sundays, so I'm not sure there is ever a "weekend" until the half term break. Plenty of opportunities for Siobhan's brain to grow.

We really seem to be settling in pretty well. Things that proved overwhelming at first are now manageable. Take laundry, for instance. I literally sat on the floor and nearly wept when our machine was taking five hours to wash/dry one VERY small load. Now, after talking to numerous people, I no longer dry our clothes in the dryer. Everything is hung dry. That's what everyone does here. It isn't as bad as it seems, thanks, in part, to the fact that I had a very"meaningful" discussion with all family members about how many times we wear outfits in this country before they are considered dirty. If you are under the age of thirteen, you are no longer allowed a new outfit everyday. No one is allowed a fresh towel daily. Or fresh pajamas. I had a tone in my voice (most of you have heard THE TONE) so there was no confusion that bad things would happen to rule breakers. It's been successful as is demonstrated by the fact that Ryan came home from school yesterday and sat down in the family room chair. A few minutes later, he mumbled something and moved to the couch where I was sitting with a sick Aidan. Ryan then said, with self-disgust," EEEWWW! Those are MY feet that stink so much! I kept moving trying to get away from the smell, but it was ME!". He hadn't changed his socks in four days. I made revisions to the Laundry Rules taking into account that common sense varies from person to person.

The double decker buses are still charming, but are becoming more commonplace to us. Aidan, who can't pronounce "double decker bus" yells out, "RUBBER DICKEY BUTH" every time he sees one. The kids LOVE this and encourage it at very high decibel levels every chance they get.

We are missing our pets. The kids miss our dog alot. I, in particular, miss our cat, Leo. This is a cat's paradise. Mind you, I'm certain that OUR 130 year old townhome with a million nooks and crannies, does not have any mice, but I'm sure our neighbors must. There are two cats who come around alot and Aidan and I are enjoying them (read: secretly feeding them). Our dog Barley wouldn't have adjusted well here which is why I think I don't miss her as much. As many of you know, Barley is part Golden Retriever, part Standard Poodle. She is as cute as they come but dumber than just about any dog I've ever known. She refuses to climb stairs, so a four story townhouse with two foot wide, stone stairs would have been miserable for her.

While we're on the subject, I'd like it noted that I haven't complained once (publicly) about the stair situation. Out of respect for my cousin, Liz, who lives in a four story townhouse in DC with TWO BABIES, I will not discuss how living life on a virtual stair master machine has grown my thighs Olympic proportions. Or maybe it's the shortbread cookies.

Lastly, I'd like to brag about the kids: Not one of them has splattered ink on their school uniforms. They are required to use fountain pens at school which I thought would be a disaster! Can you imagine a classroom of nine and ten year old boys with fountain pens? All that ink!? No wonder they have so many rules!!

Hugs to all,

T

April 27, 2006

Aidan and I were hit last night with our first British virus. Lest I've painted a too idealized picture of this country, the viruses here are not any more polite or well mannered than those back home (think Mad Cow disease). Despite feeling under the weather, I thought I'd report back on some gossip.

Jim has enjoyed reading the papers in the UK because they report bluntly on US politics without the restrictions that are placed on our media. As promised, I'm sharing an important political finding: Condoleeza Rice and Britain's Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw are dating. Maybe this story has been broken in the US already, but I felt like a Jr. High student who just discovered two teachers were dating. You mean Condoleeza dates? Who picks up the check? Does she own "date clothes"? The media here has been grilling Mr. Straw like guys in a locker room. I wonder if its public back home and I doubt if the media can tease Condoleeza in the same way that a bunch of guys can tease each other!

That's all the useless info I can share today.

T

April 26, 2006

Hi!

The kids have completed three days at their new school and I feel very confident that they will survive British prep school. It has been mostly a study in each child's personality. There were no surprises. They each handled it in their own way. The first day went as follows: Ryan bounces out the school doors at the end of the day and tells me all about his new friends and his lunch. He could have talked forever about his lunch and dessert but Siobhan came out next. She LOVED how organized her teachers were and how organized the whole school was. She loved the challenging new subjects and challenging workloads. She couldn't wait to get started on her prep (homework). Then we waited for Michael. And waited. Forty minutes later, after numerous attempts to find him, he appeared, very stressed at the door. Somehow, he ended up at the cricket team try outs! I'm guessing the Yank didn't do so well! He got home and was very upset by how strict the teachers were. They handed out demerits for everything and the kids weren't allowed to even state his or her reasons for their actions. Hmmm. We're no longer at Prairie Crossing Charter School are we?! The staff here just isn't all that interested in sharing feelings!

The second day: Ryan made a new friend. Siobhan loved that the teachers didn't allow goofing off, so she was not distracted by others and she could really learn. She felt that her brain was getting bigger already. Michael was thirsty. He did tell me later (when we had to walk back to school to get something he forgot) that he wants to board at Cheltenham College when we return to the States! This is the same kid, who very sweetly, told me he'd go anywhere in the world with us as long as we didn't put him in boarding school. I knew he'd love it here!

Today everyone was very happy. They are very into their new sports (cricket for the boys and rounders, which is like softball, for Siobhan) and all three talked cheerfully at the same time for two hours after school. Lots of funny stories.

Aidan and I mangaged the air shipment's arrival. More stuff. Aidan got all his Thomas the Tank Engine guys together for the first time since we packed the container that shipped by boat in early March. Life is good. He is learning how to hold hands as we walk along these city streets. He is also learning to mind his manners in the butcher, grocer, chemist, etc. Its not going well.

Monica, my cousin Mark's daughter, and our God daughter, is making her First Communion this weekend. We wish we could be with her and the family this weekend. When Monica was Christened, Jim had recently been downsized. We had three little kids and were scared to death about what the future held for us. As she makes this next sacrament, we cannot help but reflect on the blessings that have been showered upon us over the years. We feel incredibly blessed to be in this beautiful country, together, and have the kids experience the world in this way. We are most grateful for family and friends who make our lives so colorful and rich. Thank you all!

God Bless,

T-Ann

April 24, 2006

The kids made it through the first day at Cheltenham College Junior School. Ryan bounded out of school first with a big smile on his face saying good-bye to all his new mates. He told me all about the wonderful lunch and desserts, right off. Very Ryan.

Then Siobhan appeared and was happy with how organised (please note the British spelling!) the school and teachers were. Very Siobhan.

After two attempts to find Michael, he finally emerged looking completely stressed out. Somehow he had managed to find himself in the cricket team try-outs. Very Michael.

Further discussions with them gave us (and any psychologist who might have been listening) quite a look into each of their little souls. Ryan loved his new friends and gym. He could have talked forever about all the food and snacks. He was so happy. He looked even cuter at the end of the day when his tie, shirt and socks were comletely disheveled!

Siobhan liked her classmates, but was so happiest with the organization, challenging work loads, and switching classes. She couldn't wait to start her prep (homework). Its all about the academics with her. She loved the French teacher she and Micheal share. Michael thought the teacher was so mean. Hard to believe they are in the same class.

Michael's comments were all about the disipline. His keen sense of justice was challenged over and over as he saw kids receive demerits for wearing the wrong shoes, being smart alecks, etc. He felt the teachers were too hard on everyone and didn't allow the boys to explain WHY they did whatever it was they did.

Ahh, yes, we're not in Prairie Crossing Charter School anymore, are we? In fact, he fell at recess and got his pants all muddy and was given a warning by a teacher passing in he hall. Mud on pants? If you didn't come home muddy from the Charter School, you were probably sick! Mud was a badge of honor at PCCS. BIG eye opener and cultural difference. Time will help this. He'll get demerits, he will try to defend himself, I am sure, and learn the hard way that at a British prep school, no one is interested in sharing feelings! How he ended up at cricket try-outs I still do not know. My guess is that didn't go well.

So this morning went much better. The ties were loosened and slipped over their heads. They were ready to go ahead of time so the only person who was rushed was little Aidan who wasn't all that interested in walking the big kids to school. Jim has his US collegues in this week. It's a beautiful thing. They had meetings all day and he went to dinner with them in the evening and simply walked home. He'll do the same tonight. Those moments are why we moved here. Now he can miss a dinner or two with us instead of a whole week. Or two.

I'm off to the grocer and to run errands. Putting together meals that don't involve mutton and cans of pre- mushed peas (who is so lazy or rushed that they can't mush their OWN peas) is proving to be a bit difficult. We're eating a lot of chicken. Last week we had wonderful pasties. They look like an Italian calzone, but they are stuffed with beef (I hope) and potatoes. There was alot of shaking of pretend "pasties" on the kids' chests at dinner that night. The following day, I was told these delectable pasties are pronounced "past. ies" NOT "Paste. ies".

It amazes me that we, in fact, share a language with the British. Honestly, we have been driven to gesturing our needs in hopes that the other person can understand! Usually, people find humor in it. I did notice alot of smirks when I kept referring to "pants" at the uniform shop. "Pants" are underpants. Oops. You think you'll catch yourself every time, but its impossible!

24, April, 2006 Today we dropped off the kids at school. They all did pretty well although it got a bit frantic at the end. It takes much longer to put this uniform on than the "uniform" of ripped jeans and Abercrombe t-shirts they are used to wearing at Prairie Crossing Charter School! Sadlly, Ryan's sock garters didn't make it here and he had to go to school with already sagging socks. He came down and announced that there was something wrong with his socks. They itched. Poor thing! It is boarderline cruelty to put little boys in wool socks. The collars are so stiff on the uniform shirts that as I ironed them I kept looking for the little plastic stays, assuming they were still hidden somewhere in the collar. They weren't.

I asked the kids if this smart look was going to help them learn and I received icey stares as a collective response. We'll save the humor for later on in the week after their nerves have calmed down. They all received a very warm welcome and I look forward to picking them up and hearing about their day.

We found a wonderful church for Sunday mass. St. Somebody and St. Somebody. The church is old truly awesome. The beauty makes it difficult to concentrate. Or maybe its going to church with Aidan. He loved the needlepoint pillows that are used as kneelers. He immediately started a one sided pillow fight with them and it wasn't long before the sweet woman behind us gestured toward the children's area. Aidan was happy to stay in the pew, but he dropped one of the hymnals (while he wrestled the kneelers) and in a very frustrated tone, yelled, "Damage". I covered by saying in a loud whisper, "No, Aidan, nothing is broken!" but we all knew he was repeating Jim's colorful language. A week of Jim building Ikea furniture broadened the kids' vocabulary. Out of nowhere Aidan will also shout something that sounds alot like "frock". I don't think he means "dresses".

We bought a little car yesterday. Its about the size a matchbook car. I'll take possession next week and Aidan and I will enjoy zipping around town and exploring the country. An American woman, Michelle Henry, just stopped by with her two year old son. Lots of testosterone at the Thomas the Tank Engine table. Ouch.

It was nice to get some more info about Cheltenham. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming. We had lunch in the home of one of the girls in Siobhan's class on Saturday. The home was the last old stone cottage on the left in a storybook village. So English. Move over guacamole! I think I found my new favorite: crusty bread, brie and ONION MARMALADE! For all of you who are aware of my dairy allergy, I want you all to know the sinus headache I endured later was worth it.

April 22, 2006

Hello, all! We're still enjoying the vacation-like atmoshere here in Cheltenham. The kids toured their new school the other day and the headmaster flew the American flag in their honor. I was surprised at the emotion that instantly came over me. Just the sight of the flag flying here grabbed my throat and filled my eyes with tears. A beautiful sight no matter where you are in the world... Yesterday we spent the day driving through some of the world's most beautiful countryside. Its like Vermont on steroids. With sheep. I'm getting better at maneuvering the seemingly massive Volvo station wagon through the narrow streets. There wasn't one curb vs. tire incident, I am happy to announce. We visited a rare breed farm park. It was so much fun. We went with another family (the Shortts-Debbie, the mom grew up in IL) and some of their friends. Aidan was quite smitten with the animals particularly the rabbits, lambs (some born just hours before) and some kind of cow that looks like a woolly mammoth, but who enjoys having its neck scratched. This park reminded me of the parks we all went to as kids in the US. before anyone cared about children's safety! It wasn't for the faint of heart (Mr. Safety...my cousin, Mark, in particular) There were animals and lots of play equipment made of cement and railroad ties and moving parts with sharp edges and lots of compacted dirt to fall on. No employees around to monitor anything. I found it very nostalgic. All the parks around here are from a pre-lawsuit world. Remember the scorching, chrome slides? This morning the uniform shop DELIVERED all the uniforms we purchased the other day. I got a phone call from the owner of the shop who told me two things. First, she felt that the price we paid to have the labels sewn in everything seemed too high. I couldn't believe it! Its a standard price that is, in truth, criminal, but with every article needing labels x three meant we paid it, if not grudgingly. So she said next term she'd have them all sown in for free. Amazing! Then she said that there was far too many items for us to deal with, so she'd deliver them! Sure enough, a man delivered them to our door this morning. I'm still in disbelief at the customer service! Yesterday, a banker CAME TO THE HOUSE to fill out the forms and collect signatures from us to activate me as a joint holder on our account. Its all so old fashioned! I'm off to take our social butterfly, Siobhan, to another classmates house. She lives about 8 miles from town in a location that isn't found by the GPS and there is no reception for cell phones. The directions I have all involve turning at landmarks like churches and farm houses. Hmm. Wonder how this will work out!? Our converters and adapters blow up every time we try to plug anything in. Our US phone that we intended to us in our voice over Internet line, also blew in the process. This is delaying our ability to get our 847.223.2671 line up and running. I'll let everyone know when we get it going and then, let the excessive, free phone calling begin! love to all, T