Pond Hopper

So my son has an ear infection.  We're supposed to be flying out for our trip home on Friday.  The problem is, you can't fly with an ear infection.  It can cause the eardrum to burst.  The infection started late Sunday night. I was up all night with a miserable little boy who cried on & off all night. We got to see the doctor Monday afternoon when the doctor confirmed my fear of an ear infection.  He said it was a severe infection, gave us antibiotics and told me to bring him back Thursay to either clear him to fly or tell us we have to postpone our flight.  Today my son is still in pain and still running a fever.  He is showing little sign of improvment and I am really stressed out.  We can change our flight, but there is a £200 fee per person and we'llhave to pay the price difference in fares (a last minute ticket costs a pretty penny).  This ear infection may cause is to have to spend part of our trip in my mother's guest room and cut...

I can't tell you how much I detest the need for the :-) and 'lol' in the modern world.  We spend far too much time writing emails, text messages and facebook comments than actually communicating with each other.  A tone cannot be heard in text form.  If like me, your sense of humor is largely made up of sarcasm and dry humor, the need for the smiley face and abbreviations like lol are constantly needed to make sure people know that you are indeed kidding and not a total bitch. I can't tell you how many misunderstandings I've had over texts, instant messages, emails or social networks because the tone of a comment could not be heard and because it's not a real time conversation. Things have been misconstrued and blown out of proportion in ways that would never happen in a face to face or telephone conversation.  I have an ex that I've had countless unnecessary blow out arguments with that would never have taken place if modern technology didn't exist. If...

Friday, we leave for NJ.  My sister is getting married.  For a while I thought we wouldn't make it to the wedding.  She got engaged in December only weeks after our last trip back.  Trips home cost a small fortune and with so little time to save, I figured it would be on a wing and a prayer.  Somehow, it worked out. Somehow we found the money.  This will be the most expensive trip yet.  It's peak season and the airline tickets alone cost $4000. We don't want to stay with my mother (staying with family is for such long visits is suffocating for everyone involved) so the hotel is costing another $3000.  After the car rental, food expenses, the maid of honor dress I'll have to buy for the wedding and spending money, it will probably exceed $10,000.  It's staggering and a real hardship for us (one that no-one in my family could ever appreciate), but it is what it is and missing the wedding was just not an option. This will also be our shortest t...

I dreamed of you last night.  You called me.  I answered the phone and you said, 'Chief?' Hearing your voice after all of these years, my heart caught in my throat and all I could say was 'What's wrong? '  knowing something would have to be. You said you needed me. I asked, 'Can you come? You know I can't' 'I know. Yes, I can come' I told you, 'I can't pick you up.  It's too weird.  Too much like before.' 'I know' 'You'll have to meet him.  Maybe even both of them.' 'I know' 'It will be okay. He knows me.  He knows he can trust me.  He'll understand.' 'Ok.  Thank you.' 'You know you don't have to thank me. I love you.' 'I know.' Even in my dreams you don't say much.  After that, the dream cut to you at my door.  In the dream, I was prepared for that moment, but I know that this would never be the case.  We went out on my deck  over looking the har...

Synopsis: Elizabeth Egan's life runs on order: Both her home and her emotions are arranged just so, with little room for spontaneity. It's how she counteracts the chaos of her family -- an alcoholic mother who left when she was young, an emotionally distant father, and a free-spirited sister, who seems to be following in their mother's footsteps, leaving her own six-yearold son, Luke, in Elizabeth's care. When Ivan, Luke's mysterious new grown-up friend, enters the picture, Elizabeth doesnt know quite what to make of him. With his penchant for adventure and colorful take on things large and small, Ivan opens Elizabeth's eyes to a whole new way of living. But is it for real? Is Ivan for real? My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book.  It's nice to have a an easy read every now and then.  This was a lovely, light hearted and and truly magical story. This is a highly recommended book for those who simply want to escape from the real world.  The book ...

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Synopsis - Left Neglected is the story of Sarah, a high-powered executive and mother of three, who has a car accident and suffers a catastrophic brain injury. The brain injury results in Left Neglect Syndrome — a disability where she doesn’t recognize anything on the left side, even her own hand or leg. My thoughts - I had extremely high hopes for Left Neglected because it got such great reviews. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations. This was the first book in a very long time that I actually skipped pages. I never felt a connection with the central character and by the end of the book, I just didn't care what happened to her. I think the author went over the top with her portrayal of the modern career woman. The main character is in a major accident and misses her Blackberry just as much as she misses kids (maybe more)? I got the point, but did I have to be slammed over the head with it? At first I related with her as a mother and as someo...

When I got my first Systems Administrator job I had no idea what I was doing. I lied on my resume.  I went to school for systems administration, but had no hands on experience. When I started working, I learned on the job figuring it out as I went along.  I called this process ' Baptism by Fire'.  I think my boss knew I didn't have a clue, but he gave me a shot anyway.   He'd give me tasks to do and then leave me to it to figure it out.  I always did, but it was stressful as hell learning as I flew by the seat of my pants every day.  I was with that company for five years and by the end, I couldn't have a day off without them calling me for help with something.  I became an invaluable employee and was very good at my job.  In the end, the company was sold and I ended up having to move on, but to this day that job was the best and most rewarding job I ever had. Starting my new business is another process of baptism by fire.  I have no id...

Ethan is starting school in September.  I am heart broken over it.  Where I grew up, children don't start school until they are five.  They start kindergarten and only have a half day until they start first grade.  Ethan has only just turned four and he starts school all day every day in September.  I feel like it's too soon.  I feel like my baby is being taken away from me a year early. I also feel like he's just too young to be going to school all day every day (well, Monday - through Friday anyway). Out of all the moms I know who have kids starting school this year, I'm the only one who's heart broken instead of celebrating. I've been really emotional for months now.  We got the letter in the mail a few months ago letting us know what school he'll be going to and I've been really emotional ever since.  I tear up randomly and sometimes I look at him and wonder what happened to my baby?  He's growing up so fast and I'm just not ready. ...

I'm starting a new business.  Up until a few months ago, I had a web business selling beauty products.  I started it about 6 years ago and for a while, it did quite well, but the company I was selling for made some bad business decisions through the years and my business was effected.  I was down to making only a few hundreds pounds before they went out of business and I lost mine.  Even though I wasn't making a lot of money towards the end, we've still suffered without the extra income. So, I've been working hard to start a new business.  I'm going to stick with selling beauty products and have been researching suppliers as well as building the website.  I've been working so hard and have a long way to go, but I'm proud of how the site is looking so far and today, I had a great meeting with a new skincare company.  They love my business plan and have agreed to take me on as a retailer for their products.  I'm really excited.  I have a cosme...

I started working out again about a week ago.  I quit smoking two months go (I started up again last year after quitting for 6 years), I've  lost 12lbs and  now I'm ready to start working out again to get to my goal.  I lost 50 lbs after having my son.  Yes, that's right I gained a whopping 50lbs and it took me ages to lose it.  Around this time last year I nearly reached my goal weight, but to be honest I was happy being a size 6 (10 UK) and lost momentum on reaching my goal weight.  Then last fall I went to NJ for a visit and gained 10lbs back (I always gain 10lbs just stepping foot on American soil!).  When I got back, I had a flare up of my arthritis, was put on steroids and gained another 10lbs. Before I knew it, I was a busting out of my size 8 clothes (12 UK) and feeling fat again.  I know there's no shame in being a size 8, but I am 5' 2" and it's big for me.  Before getting pregnant, I was never big in my life and all I've wante...

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Ethan turned 4 last week.  I made it a week long celebration trying to make it as special as I could.  He was so excited about turning four.  Why should all the excitement be over after just one day?  His birthday as on Tuesday.  He wanted a dinosaur birthday so what better way to spend the day than at the Natural History Museum in London?  We started with birthday gifts first thing in the morning followed by breakfast which was finished off with a cupcake complete with a candle and singing happy birthday. He got dressed into his usual 'Dino Dan' uniform (Dino Dan is a TV show that Ethan is obsessed with. Dan only wears yellow shits and Khaki shorts or cargo pants so most of the time it's all my son will wear) and we were off.  We took the train into London which was a treat in its self. He told everyone he could on the train that he was going to see the dinosaurs.  It was wonderful to see him so excited. As soon as you walk into the museum the...

Almost every morning as soon as my 4 year old son wakes up, he goes directly into dinosaur mode.  He transforms from a little boy into one of two characters - Nigel Marven, the time traveling star of the English TV series, Prehistoric Park or Dino Dan the main character of the Canadian TV series with the same name that plays on Nick Jr in the US. It could be 6:00 AM and he goes straight into character.  If he's Dino Dan, he puts on an American accent so I always know and if he's Nigel, he starts talking about being back in dinosaur times. No matter which character he chooses, it's always too early for dinosaur hunting and yet I find myself playing along more times than not. The thing is I can use this characters to my advantage.  I say things like, 'If you're Nigel, then you can definitely get yourself dressed (my newly 4 year old has trouble getting dressed on his own).  He takes the clothes (unfortunately, usually a yellow shirt and khakis because that...

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I always catch something when I fly. Every time I get on a plane, I make sure I pack cold & flu medicine because I know I'll be sick for the next week. I told my doctor about it because I was wondering if I could get a hold of something over the counter to help. I know in the US they sell things that are supposed to help. He told me to buy Vicks First Defense (which is available in the UK over the counter, but as of last November, was not available in the US). It's a nasal spray that you don't inhale. You simply squirt it into the side of your nostril a couple of times and wait a few seconds before you take a breath through your nose (avoiding taking a deep breath for a few minutes - I once inadvertently inhaled it and let me tell you, it was painful so take my word for it - don't inhale it). The spray is supposed to form a thin layer of gel at the back of the nose, where it should trap the virus, disarm it and help the body to flush it out. I was hesitant wh...

Synopsis: This is a book about a brother and a sister. It's a book about secrets and starting over, friendship and family, triumph and tragedy, and everything in between. More than anything, it's a book about love in all its forms. In a remarkably honest and confident voice, Sarah Winman has written the story of a memorable young heroine, Elly, and her loss of innocence-a magical portrait of growing up and the pull and power of family ties. My review: I absolutely loved this book not only for the beautiful writing but also for the characters and the relationships they had with each other. I added it to my list of favorites. It is a beautiful, funny, tragic, laugh out loud & read through your tears type of book. I have never laughed, cringed & cried so much in a novel. The story is poignant and filled with ups and downs that will make you want to keep reading and sorry when it's over.

I had book club last night. This month we celebrated our one year anniversary. For me it feels like more than a year because I almost forget what it was like to not have these ladies in my life. I started the book club because I thought it would be a way to try to meet more people. Up until then, I had one friend in this country. My closest English friend, Angela. She reads as much as I do and she was immediately on board. She invited friends who also invited friends and before we knew it, we had a group of eight. Three of the original members quickly dropped out, but have since been replaced twice over. We have a group of twelve now (although never have all twelve at the same meeting). It's a wonderful group of woman and a great group of friends. Book club goes like this: We meet once a month. The hostess discusses the book she chose in her home. There is always a list of questions prepared ahead of time for discussion starters and the hostess provides food and the me...

I don't know why so many of my dreams take place in the house I grew up in. I haven't lived there in almost 20 years now. The latest was this morning. I dreamed I was planning a 40th birthday party for one of my English friends (Which is odd for 2 reasons - the house I grew up in was in Belford, NJ and my English friend is 45). I had two of my English friends over to help me with a photo collage that we'd hang at the party. I guess the house I grew up in was now in England. We were in the back room of the house. A room that was once my nursery as a baby, turned into my brother's room when my sister was born and then an office later on. The room in my dream was an office, but it was decorated in a way that didn't fit the house when I was growing up or my house now. My friends and I were discussing weight loss/gain. I was standing up against a desk I didn't recognise telling them I always look 20 lbs less than I actually am (which is true) and that they s...

Yes, I am still alive. I've come to the conclusion that I am a fair weather blogger - literally. I don't really blog in the winter. I don't know why. It's not that I get down in the winter. Well, maybe a little. I mean English winters are long and dark. It's enough to get anyone down, but I honestly I don't walk around depressed. I guess I just get quiet. Well, the sun is shining and I'm feeling inspired. I actually have loads of book reviews and recipes already written and ready for days I feel less than inspired. Maybe with a little luck, when the next grey dark winter arrives, I'll be so used to blogging, it will stay a part of my routine. I know I've said it before, but I'm back (for now).