We are spending our very first Christmas in the UK this year. Ken’s sister, Jenny, has been here for a couple of days but has headed for the airport in order to be in Marietta for Christmas Day. We have sent a few gifts home with her so the Burtons and Framptons can look for a few items.
Yesterday I went to the grocery store at 8:30 in the morning to do my final shopping. It was crazy. One of the strange things they do here is actually open the store early before they open the checkout lanes. So people get in at say 8:00 but can’t checkout until 8:30. Apparently with the last shopping day on a Sunday this year there are laws that say that you can’t exchange money until 10:00 at the bigger stores so they will open prior to that and then open the checkout lanes at 10:00. Very strange. I just figured that out – I had been going to the grocery store every Sunday right when it opened and couldn’t figure out why everyone was already there. Its because they let people in early. Strange.
Anyway – when I got to the grocery store yesterday there was a que to get into the parking lot. Needless to say I had a hard time finding a place to park. I then stood in the que for 20 minutes to checkout. I have a few items I need to get today and I am sending Ken!
I am making the cheesecake today and then we are heading out to some friends of ours for a Christmas Eve get together. Then after the present opening on Christmas day, apparently the pub opens from 11:00 – 1:00 and it is tradition to hit the pub in the afternoon. Far be it from us to go against tradition.
Tomorrow we are having a collegue of mine from ICON for Christmas dinner. They are from Hungary and are spending their first Christmas away from home just like us. The wife is having a hard time here and is struggling to learn English. I am hoping that the kids will bridge the language gap.
Mary and Noah are both getting the Nintendo DS for Christmas and wheelies. I am hoping for a red IPod. Poor Ken is getting only clothes this year. (Hopefully he won’t read this until tomorrow.)
We are headed for London on Friday to meet the Robinsons for New Years.
We miss everyone and wish everyone a Healthy Happy Holiday Season!!
on Dec 28th, 2006 at 7:09 am
Thanks so much for the wonderful pictures and updates. The pictures really help me to feel like I have some idea of what you are doing and seeing. It is all fascinating. Have you hired a professional photogragher?
Love and hugs all around. have a great time visiting with the Robinsons and in London. Keep the pictures coming.
on Dec 28th, 2006 at 8:42 am
Hey Framptons – Love your Blog – makes the distance less. Thanks so much for the lovely red scarf. My favorite color – looks great with my winter white suit and my coat. Have worn it twice alre ady – feels CLASSY! Love you all and miss you – HAPPY NEW YEAR