Pics from London

Mom and Dad's New Summer Home. Look how well HB fit's in with the locals

Trafalga Square

H and Pen enjoying Wicked

My favorite Part of the trip! Hooray Wicked

The outside of the tower

Londond Bridge

View from our river cruise. I don't know what people go on about as far as the weather. We had gorgeous blue skies the entire time.

Penee and H enjoying the river cruise

Here is the famous Hyde park and the "Soap Boxes" It's true people do just randomly stand up to express their political or religious views. You can see how many are gathered to hear what they have to say. This was really interesting. Apparently these men were talking about suicide bombers.

Dad became obsessed with this Palm tree. He kept trying to ask everyone what it was called to no avail. Eventually we had to go to a nursery so he could find out the name.

Did I mention he was obsessed?

We went to church at the Hyde Park ward for Easter Sunday. It was truly delightful.

This statue was in the square right outside of buckingham palace. It's a memorial to Queen Victoria

There is a beautiful promendade outside of Buckingham. We enjoyed our walk very much.

Here we are in front of the Buckingham







Our walk to Buckingham took us through Regency Park. Maybe I've read too many Regency Romances but I could just picture all the Caroline Bingley's of a certain time "taking a turn" their. It was beautiful. It's also go a Princess Diana memorial walk.

Mom per usual was obsessed with any and all wildlife that we saw. She exclaimed to see a squirrel in the park.

Westminster that we got to see on our walking tour.

Us in front of the Houses of Parliment just outside of where Big Ben sits.

Big Ben

a better view of big ben and houses of parliment

Lindsay across the way

More Scenery









Mom and Dad, just like a second honeymoon.

Our hotel lobby in Russell Square. Kudos to Larry for scoring us such a nice hotel.

P.S. if you are wondering why these pictures are mysteriously a Larry free zone. It's because he just did not want to be in any. I'm not sure why.

Brave New World

As most of you are already aware the beginning of April didn't go quite as I thought it was going to. Just wanted all to know that I'm doing well. I feel peaceful about what happened and feel peaceful and hopeful about moving forward.

Plus I got a fun trip to London with my parents and Larry which was so much fun. I don't currently have pictures available to post but when I do I'll be sure to put them up.

I know that if I put my trust in the Lord all will work itself out. In fact things already seem to be coming together as I've already had one job offer and an interview. Things just have a way of working out don't they.

I arrived back in the States on Tuesday evening and have been enjoying my time with friends family and my new "roomate" Canyon Rose. What could be better?

Much love to you all!

Hen Night

Hen night was a great success. I had such an amazing time. I think that a party is only as much fun as the people who attend and this party was much much fun. Margaret picked me up at 8 and we made our way over to the party. We started with food which was plentiful, delightful and included my 2 favorite food groups. Gummie and chocolate fountain.

We then played many fun games. For example we had a contest to see who could make the best wedding dress out of toilet paper. Here is Heather Smyth in all her TP glory.





















They dressed me up and we played other fabulous games it was a wonderful night and I appreciated all the wonderful people who both put it on for me (Clare and Frieda McElhinney) and all who attended. Here is a picture of most of the attendees and me in all my finery.

Fascinator

I now know why women here are sometimes referred to as "birds" it's because of the tradition here of wearing hats and for a little thing appropriately named Fascinator.

This little treasure is for the most part made up entirely of feathers. Hats here also have some form of feather on them. That's right I said hats. Women here actually wear them. It's a divine custom.

Margaret and I went shopping in Coleraine to finish off her outfit for the wedding. We had looked at some hats previously but didn't find just the right thing. We arrived at a shop called Dixons where they had many lovely hats and fascinators for us to choose from.

Clearly as I am an American the fascinator lives up to it's name in my heart because we just don't wear them. In fact until I came here I can't remember a time that I have seen a woman in other than a baseball cap. (which doesn't really qualify as a hat at any rate) . I am uploading a few pictures so you can share my joy in these accessories.

Tips for wearing a fascinator and or hat:

These items should not be worn squarely on top of the head. Whenever possible they should be placed jauntily on the side of the head in what can only be described as a rakish angle. Please see the picture below for an example.
I only hope to be able to live here long enough that at some point I can pull something like this off. But sadly I fear that at least for now I'm to American to look well in it.