Update from Utah

I received the sweetest email from my FIL and MIL (mother and father in law-to be). Amongst other things they gently pointed out that I haven't posted in ever so long. So this post is dedicated to them :)

It has been go, go, go since I arrived in the States almost a month ago. Not to much exciting happened in Utah except that I got to see Canyon and the fam. Last week my mom and I drove down to Arizona to see Lex. It was indeed delightful to see her and judging from the look on her face I think she was happy to see us as well .

Mom and I had a few mishaps on our drive down to AZ. First off we missed the turn off and instead of going through page had to go through Vegas. Secondly once we got to Kingman we stopped to eat and then Ray called. My mom blames it on me being in love but I got distracted and forgot to tell her that we needed to fill up before we left Kingman. We were pretty much in the middle of nowhere and only miraculously made it to a gas station. Somehow our car went almost 400 miles on 12 gallons of gas (we hadn't filled up since Beaver.)

Our second driving mishap was that I misunderstood HB's directions and so instead of heading south down to Phoenix and therefore saving ourselves about an hour and a half we drove on to Flagstaff and then down. We did finally make it however and were very excited to be reunited with Jeff and Pam and our little Lexi.

The next day while Lex worked in the morning Mom and I went and visited Uncle Charles and Aunt Laurine. It was delightful to visit with them and seeing uncle Charles always makes me miss Grandpa Howard. To me there is such a strong resemblance between the two of them.

Here is picture of them with Penee. From there lex met up with us and we partook at the Cheesecake Factory which I obviously adored and then we went home for some naps before heading out the Chea's to see the Cliff Arnett family.

Here is a picture of Aunt Cathy, Chea and I at Chea's house in Queen Creek, AZ. The follwing day we got up and drove down to Sierra Vista. Mom had never been to Lacy's house so it was a delight both to see her so adorably pregnant and to see her cute house. Mom washed all her windows, did laundry and helped to set up her nursery. So hopefully Lacy will have a head start when little Penelope Gwen decides to make her appearance.

While we were there we also had the opportunity to go to a baby shower hosted by Lacy's SIL, Maren.

Much delights were had by all and it was good to catch up with some of Lacy's friends who I've

come to know and love. Like Xela, a friend of Lacy's from the U of A from Malaysia. Also Danielle. Here is a fun picture at random from the fun baby shower.

Finally two pics from our last day in Sierra Vista. First a pic of the hosts with the most. Dave, Lacy and Deacon. Dave especially was such a trooper to have put up with so many Arnett women under one roof for almost a week.

Finally a pic of us girls

Mom and I flew out from Phx yesterday and arrived safe and sound last night. I miss the Mayberry's and Lexi all ready and look forward to the news of Penelope Gwen's safe arrival!

It looks as though I will be here in the States for at least another couple of weeks. But I do miss Ray, Ireland and all my family there and I can't wait to be back with them, hopefull soon, soon, soon!

Coming Home

Salt Lake City or Bust!!

I'll be home the night of the 23rd around 8:30 p.m.

Can't wait. Still not able to set a date for the wedding. I'm planning on being home for about 2 weeks, after which time we hope to have some word about Ray's interview from the embassy. So I may or may not be there longer than the 2 weeks.

So get prepared. I'm going to need lots of Olive Garden, Happy Sumo, Mi Ranchito, etc.

I'm hoping to make a quick trip down to AZ as well (bring on the cheesecake factory).

Did I mention that I love taking a vacation from my vacation ;)

Sea Foam

This weeks excursion took us to a little place called Creevy Pier. While probably not found on any tourists map it has some significance to me as it will always be the place where I first saw Sea Foam. I've always known that Sea Foam existed. I've heard tell of it from many sources but I was surprised to find that I had never in actuality seen it.

As we pulled up to the beach around Creevy Pier I saw all this white stuff collected around the shore and rocks. I asked Ray what it was (I was prepared to be outraged as I thought it was some sort of litter). He informed me that it was Sea Foam.

Notice all the white stuff caught in the rocks. This is Sea Foam. The picture (as I am clearly not a great photographer) doesn't do it justice but it was a highlight of the day for sure.

For those of you who are as ignorant as I. Apparently Sea Foam is created when there is a perfect mixture of sea and wind. The wind whips it up into some sort of frothy delight.



Also on our travels Ray found a little church where he thought we might discover some Elder's. So we put on our waterproof coats and headed out with the digital camera. We didn't find any Elder's but we did get soaked as the weather soon turned into a torrential downpour. We had to abandon our search as the weather truly got so bad that water was dripping off our coats.


Finally we went to a little place called the Donegal Craft Village. It's a place where lots of people who do native arts have little shops. There was a woman who was weaving on an actual loom. She made beautiful scarves, bags, etc. Then there was a place where they made glass jewelery and sculpture. There were many other shops but not all were fully opened due to the fact that it is the off season, I'm sure.

Final item of note- there was a little coffee shop where we ate our lunch. They had this brown bread that came with our soup that was truly to die for. So good in fact, that we bought a loaf to take home with us. I wish I could adequately describe the tastiness of said bread but sadly I know any description given here would not do justice to it's deliciousness. Instead you will all just have to come and I'll take you to see for yourselves.

Sugar Cookies

Ray is the YM president here in the Londonderry branch. Last week he invited the Young Men over for some food and X Box. We moved the couch around so that we could project the game onto our wall.

Here are the boys enjoying themselves and taking whatever soccer game they were playing most seriously.

I did my part for the activity as well. Over the holiday I had gotten from C.S. her world famous sugar cookie recipe. This was my first experience in using it but they were mighty tasty and I think that the boys enjoyed them almost as much as Ray and I did.

Here are some samples of how well it turned out.

This is an Ode to the love of my life (I think cookie is my medium).







Here is a picture of the finished product in all it's glory (Notice the green frosting in honor of Ireland).

Deja Vu

This evening Ray and I decided to catch a flick. We hit up the 11:15 p.m. showing of Deja Vu. As you can imagine I am not used to that late of an hour so I had a bit of a Diet Coke to give me the boost needed to get me through. That is why I am currently writing this post at 2 a.m. Doing my best to come down off the Caffeine.

I enjoyed the movie. It didn't change my life or anything but I actually thought it was rather suspenseful and tense in parts. So tense that I fear I gave myself movie whiplash. As evidence of this I cite a very stiff neck, which I believe is due to the total tightening of all my muscles for a prolonged period. Tense movie indeed. Or perhaps I just need to get out more.

Homesick

I've been suffering from some post Christmas, been here a month homesickness. Nothing drastic just a general bit of missing all my dear family and friends and the rocky mountains. Luckily I'm engaged to the most amazing man and to help alleviate the homesickness he made me a lovely tea (this means dinner) yesterday evening.

Here is a photo of our delicious mexican feast created especial (notice the Spanish accent) for me by Ray.

It was most delicious, satisfying, and very sweet to boot, of Ray to go to all this trouble.

He even provided a little guacamole delight with the help of our friends at Old El Paso :). The net result was that after the meal and the company I was feeling a bit less homesick.



Update on the wedding. Ray finally jumped through all the hoops that the embassy doctors wanted him to. He had to get a tetanus shot and another MMR because they couldn't find the records of his immunization. All of this was sent to the embassy on Wednesday and we were told to call the embassy on Monday. So cross your fingers and say a little prayer for us that we can finally set a date!!

Inishowen

Yesterday Ray and I went on our first excursion since I arrived here. We started out by taking the ferry over to the Republic of Ireland.

Pay particular attention to the wonderful blue skies in this picture. We zipped right across to Inishowen. We stopped at a lovely village called Molville where we ate at a pub called "The Town Clock". I had a particularly delightful meal of Fresh Seafood chowder and brown bread. This chowder was honestly the most delicious thing I've had since I arrived. It had fresh salmon and some white fish and some mussels in it. It was TDF for sure. I also had a Diet Coke which Ray was quick to inform me probably cost the equivalent of 4 US dollars. But I chose to not let that fact mar the enjoyment of the day.

Here they have a saying, "if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes" After having only been here but a short time I can attest to the fact that this is true. You'll notice from the picture above that we left with blue skies. We had determined to go to a place called Malin.As you can see by the time we arrived there it was a torrential down pour. Here we are trying to stay dry and warm. Neverless we continued on and were rewarded when not 5 minutes later the weather changed again and we were able to capture these pictures.


This one is from the top of the hills at Malin Head. Malin Head is the most Northernly part of Ireland.



This next picture is after we had driven down the hill. It was at a little beach area and it was beautiful. The beach was made up entirely of stones and as the water would rush back out into the sea it made the most beautiful noise like thousands of hands clapping with joy. I must admit I joined in and clapped my hands in glee with appreciation for the beauty of this place.

Ray and I have decided to make Saturday's our day of explorations. This country I find myself in is truly beautiful. We had such a perfect day that I can hardly wait for Saturday to come around again. There is much here to be explored and I'm anxious to get started!

Christmas Fun

Christmas has come to a close here in beautiful N. Ireland and I can definitively say that my first Christmas here was an absolute delight. Let me recap a few of the highlights.

The Wednesday before Christmas Margaret and I went to Tallin's Christmas Play. He was one of the 3 kings and did a wonderful job. Sadly I forgot the digital so I don't have the photographic proof of how amazing he was but trust me he did a wonderful job. That evening we went to a Carol Service where Judith's (Ray's Brother Stewart's Fiance) son Harry sang beautifully.

This is a picture of the church the Carol Service was held in. Taken courtesy of Ray's camera phone.


Thursday Ray and I finally finished painting our living room. Margaret had arranged for some movers to move the furniture ( which she generously donated to our cause) from her house to ours. We were so grateful because the move happened with no inconvenience to ourselves. We then went out and about and bought a Christmas tree and decorated it to the hilt.
This is our tree in all it's glory. I was so relieved to be done painting and to have a tree. It just wouldn't have felt like Christmas without one.

Friday Ray and I went to Brogans Carol Service. Here a Carol service is done in the church and it's hymns and the nativity. Here is a picture of the church where it was held.
















Brogan played the recorder and he did a marvelous job. I thoroughly enjoyed myself watching him perform. Here he is giving us a personal performance.

Saturday we just got ready, did any last minute grocery shopping for the big holiday.

Sunday we had a wonderful Carol Service at Church. I was asked to play the organ for said service and after a frantic phone call to C.S. Walker I felt like it was going to be ok. It did end up going fine.

After church we had Stewart & Judith over for lunch. I made Connie Allen's famous Broccoli Cheese Soup. It was delish. We hung out with them and chatted and played some Phase 10.

That evening we spent with Stephen Smyth and his family. We read Luke 2 and the B of M account to the birth of Christ and their was a nativity play. I was so appreciative of them inviting us over to share that with them. I really felt the spirit once again whisper to me of the divinity of Jesus Christ and I love doing things that are centered on Him and to take time to remember what the season is all about.

Christmas morning Ray came over and we opened our gifts from each other and the package that my parents had sent. It was so nice having a little piece of home in a foreign land on Christmas Day. My favorite gift had to be a book that Lacy had made of pictures of Canyon. I think the fam had a fun day in Utah as well. Here was one of the pictures Dad sent me that was taken on Mom's new digital camera.
We spent Christmas Day with Ray's family. His mother made us a wonderful Christmas dinner and we enjoyed spending time with Ray's parents and his brother and fiance. I have to say that Margaret and Ray Sr. spoiled us terribly at Christmas as well. They gave us many fine and thoughtful gifts that were greatly appreciated.

The following day here is a holiday as well. It's known as St. Stephen's day or Boxing day. It started out that people here used to give gifts in boxes instead of wrapping paper so the day after Christmas they would put their leftovers into these boxes and administer to the needy. Now it seems more just a day to be with loved ones and not at work!

We spent that evening with the Elder's again and this time got to be with the Nephews and give them our Christmas gifts. We also got to stay that evening and I got to meet all of Margarets siblings and their spouses. Most of whom I was meeting for the first time.

Schwoo.......clearly we had a jam packed and wonderful Christmas. I must admit that the last 2 days Ray and I have taken things VERY easy. We have both been exhausted from all the fun and merriment. Here's hoping that everyone else had as fun and as merry a Christmas as we did in beautiful N. Ireland.

Freezing Mist and How I Keep Warm

The temperature here has dropped. It's now -2 celcius. I realise that in Utah it's probably still colder than this but it really is true what they say about cold and Humidity. It does sort of seep into your bones. Here's a picture I took from my bedroom and out the front door yesterday. This would be what is know as Freezing Mist.

Even with this mist and the cold temperatures I still bundled up and walked down to the little market we have in town. I had to get a few items to stuff Ray's stocking with you see.

Although it has been quite cold we manage to keep warm. Here instead of having say central heat, people would use radiators. They are actually quite delightful. We have one in every room of the house and in the halls. What's nice about them is that you can adjust them individually. So I can have the radiator turned off or down in any room that we don't really use. Also this means that I can turn it up say in my bedroom to keep it quite toasty warm. Here is a picture of the radiator in my bedroom in all of it's glory.

Also speaking of my bedroom. Since I arrived here I have been sleeping on an air mattress which was generously supplied by Dr. Ray and Margaret (Ray's parents). It is a deluxe model and I am so grateful just to have had somewhere to sleep. But long term it was not working out. Last weekend Ray and I went to a store just down the road from us know as CFC Interiors. We met with a lovely old 'gent named Stanley who gave us a great deal on a mattress, bed frame and 2 end tables. Here is a picture of my delightfully redecorated room.

Let me just say that last night I had an amazing nights sleep. I also now have a place to put my glasses and my book (and a comfortable place to read at night).

My heart and my back feel happy with this new purchase.





Last bit of news.........The Elder's generously let us come over and borrow their total gym. Let me just say that I feel my muscle's building all ready. I've used it 3 days and it is a wonderful workout. I hope to use it many more days so that I can look AMAZING on my wedding day. More time to get in shape I suppose is a reason to be grateful that we don't have a date yet(Hopefully we will have one by the new year, More on this in another post).

Fridge Space Is At A Premium

It's the first part of week 2 and I am still settling in. We haven't finished painting our living rooom yet. We run and run at a million miles an hour and still don't manage to accomplish every thing we were hoping to. Ray is currently working and I'm just on the computer typing a few IM's and writing this blog entry. As soon as he finishes we will go and hopefully complete the painting in the living room.

I thought I would share a few of the joys that I have discovered living here thus far. The first is the power of the mini fridge. Only here they just call it the fridge. It's the size everyone has and while at first it might seem inconvenient, I'm discovering that actually it can be a delight. I don't think we will have very much food that goes to waste due to the fact that the fridge only holds about 2 meals worth of food. Because this is the case we also have to go shopping pretty much every other day, but it always makes sure that the food is fresh.

Also I can always find everything because you don't have very many places to look. I think we should all downgrade to the Mini. A Mini Fridge revolution should be just what America needs to fight the obesity epedemic. I'm just saying.


The next delight that I have discovered here is the art of the Christmas card. Here everyone exchanges Christmas cards. They don't really write anything in them. They pretty much let the card do the talking. And that is fine by me. Easy to the point. Open up the card and it gives you a little holiday message no reason to embellish. Then one signs ones name. BOOM done.

Case in point. On Sunday Ray was getting mass amounts of Christmas cards. The woman who sat in front of us in Sacrament meeting passed one back for him. Then she realised that she hadn't included my name on the envelope. No stress she simple reached into her bag and gave me a card (Notice that we have two with birds on them). It's genius really. It's like Valentine's Day cards for kids in America. Everyone gets just the card. Although come to think of it they do give candy with the cards. That might be the only thing that could make this tradition more delightful.

Well that's me signing off. I'm just going to run downstairs and have a little pre -painting snack. Something I'll no doubt get out of my Mini fridge whilst looking at my Christmas cards. More later!

Virtual Tour

I thought I'd give you all a virtual tour of our cute house. Here is a shot from the outside.

When you walk in the front door the living room is on the right and the stairs are on the left.





Straight ahead down the hallway is the kitchen. In the kitchen to the right is the actual kitchen area. Behind the door is the utility room with washer dryer etc. To the right is the breakfast nook. It's all one big room.






When you walk upstairs the first door on your left is our Spare room. It's the only room in the house with a mirror so I do my makeup in there every day. This will be your accomodations when you come to visit us. We are in the process of purchasing a bed for the room so you will be very comfortable when you come.






Next on the left is my office where I will be helping Ray with his ebay sales and writing many emails and IM's. On the right is Ray's office where he will probably be shutting the door hoping for some peace and quiet.

Finally at the end of the Hallway is the Master. It comes compete with an "En Suite" bathroom as they call it here. Which is just a shower, pedestal sink and toilet. Also has 2 built in closets.

My First Week

Well my first week didn't go quite as planned. My luggage didn't arrive until late Monday night and so we didn't do much on Monday. We finally left a note on the door asking them to leave the luggage should they arrive and headed out to the grocery store. The "Walmart"over here is actually called Tesco's. So we headed over and I experienced things on the metric system. Which makes things a bit difficult when trying to convert some of the recipe's that I brought over with me. Highlight of the day had to be sharing breakfast with Ray ( We haven't been able to do that for ages)

Tuesday we had the missionaries over. They gave us a discussion and we also read and discussed Elder Ballards talk on "Creating a Gospel Sharing Home". Since we were still getting settled we fed them frozen pizza. Here they are in all their glory.

Tuesday night was also Enrichment night. It was the Christmas Enrichment and we had a lesson on having more of Christ in Christmas. Many of the ladies shared ideas of how to have more of Christ in Christmas. I shared my favorite holiday tradition. That of bearing our testimonies on Christmas Eve. I'm going to miss that very much.

We had a nice dinner afterward. It was Chicken Curry and Rice which was delish. They start a little later than normal here. The program started at 7:30 and I didn't get home until 11:00 p.m.

In between all the planned activities Ray and I have been runnin here and there trying to get a few things for the house. We are both so exhausted. We keep thinking that things are going to slow down but so far no luck.

Wednesday was pretty uneventful. Although we did go out to lunch with Ray's Mother Margaret and Judith, his brother's Fiance. We had a lovely time and I've been so grateful to the Elder's who have been so welcoming. They are helping me to feel right at home.

Today the missionaries came over to do a bit of service. We are painting and they painted the ceiling of our living room. I fed them breakfast (quiche) then fed them lunch (broccoli cheese soup). I've become quite domesticated it would seem living over here.

Ray is off to London tomorrow for his physical. I asked him tonight how he felt about it he said and I quote, "well, 600 dollars (which is what we had to pay to have him fly down there and for the physical) seems like a lot of money to pay just to have a doctor stick his finger up my bum." He then proceeded to hum the tune to "families can be together for ever".

That said, I'm going to assume from the humming that despite the finger he feels it will all be worth it when we can finally be together for ever. It was a tender moment indeed.

I have a vitual tour of the house to share but I'll end this post here and post those pictures immediately following.

I've arrived

But unfortunately my luggage has not. Apparently it got lost in the transfer from SLC to Newark. But a lovely gentleman from the Belfast International Airport with the most delightful accent just called me to inform me that it would be arriving shortly.

It's 10:30 a.m. at the minute and it's a bit surreal to think most of you lovely folk are still fast asleep in your beds as I write this. Ray is currently off helping with geneology at the church house. So I'm having a little me time.

Since today is my first "real" day in Ireland. Or at least the first day I'm not so tired I want to do harm to myself. I'm documenting it with pictures. Tomorrow I"ll have some picutres of the house. Also of all the activities which I participated in today.

More tomorrow!

Countdown

It's only a few more days until my big move. I'm really getting excited about it. I haven't been able to sleep very much the last 2 nights because I've been so excited. I went to Target last night and bought some more bins and packed up my room. So I'll be living out of suitcases for the next few days. I can't wait to get out to N. Ireland and be with Ray!

This feeling of excitement is a bit different from last week. Last week I was still excited but more emotional about the move. My mom calls it the "Peter Pan" complex. I think she's right. I really have to grow up now it seems. I find it a bit uncomfortable the thought of leaving my own neverland. The truth is it feels like the end of an era. How blessed I have been to have had so much of my family all around me for so long. To associate daily with them. Not to mention the amazing and wondrful friends I have made here and who I cherish.

Now as I move away it seems that much will be different. My only consolation is that I'm not alone in the family in moving away. It seems to make the idea of moving more bearable to know that others will be experiencing some of the same things as I. It would be much harder to call home and have everyone hanging out together every day while I was in a foreign land.

So now comes the hard part. The goodbye's. Turns out I don't think I'm very good at them. I guess I just haven't had a lot of practice. I have a feeling I'm going to get more practice at them then I would care to. Despite that, I'm looking forward to the move with joy and my sense of adventure firmly in place. I'm excited to find out what's ahead and to hear about all of your adventures while I'm at it.

My newest purchases

Only 2 and a half more weeks until I go to Northern Ireland and I'm getting so excited. In preparation for the big move I have recently purchased some Ugg boots. Here is a picture of them in all their glory. Let me just say that they are indeed glorious. So warm and you feel as if you are walking around in super supportive and comfy slippers. I wish a pair for each of you believe me.

The plural part of the purchases is that last week Ray purchased a new car for us. I know it's a volkswagon and I believe it's a golf. Although I really couldn't be sure and I would ask Ray to clear it up for us but as he is not a faithful reader of this blog I will just have to ask him the next time we talk. But for now here are the pics he sent to me of the new vehicle. I'm excited to get behind the wheel and give it a test drive!

Quote of the day

Sydnee calls me this afternoon and says, "Did you know that Britney and Kevin brokeup? PopoZao!"

Showtunes

Clearly I have long been a fan of the showtune. I can remember our trip to Nauvoo when I purchased Guys and Dolls . I remember listening to it over and over and over again. Until I'm quite certain H.B. wanted to snap his own neck. I can't understand this attitude as I don't feel I could ever, even to this day tire of it. I especially enjoyed Sit Down Your Rockin' The Boat.

It's no secret that lately I have been in LOVE with Wicked as well as Thouroghly Modern Millie. So in preparation for me leaving the Country I have decided to revel in my love by adding to my collection. I feel this will shore me up for the adventure lying just ahead. I recently purchased the following:

My Fair lady-This is the original with Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison, Not that imposter Audrey.
*Note-I adore Audrey Hepburn and am in love with her in the movie version of My Fair Lady but where Broadway is concerned I worship at Ms. Andrews altar.

Camelot- As a lover of all things Arthur how could I help myself.

Monty Python's Spamalot- For reasons as stated above.

In reminiscing about Guys and Dolls I am realising that I will have to pick up a copy of that as well. I want nothing more than at this moment to be listening to Sit Down Your Rockin' the Boat.

A little tip for all of you Utahns. If you haven't already experinced Kosy 106.5 and their showtune Saturday I would highly recommend it to you. You can always hear all of the old classics and maybe find a new tune or two destined to become a classic.

Well Then

First things first. I know I am biased but I have the cutest niece. Someone in my family needs to get a digital camera because this pic taken on Sydnee's cell phone is simply not cutting the mustard. Still I think you can clearly see that she is the cutest fairy princess of all time.


Some of you are probably wondering where we are at on the Visa thing. It turns out that even though we are "approved" the process will take a little bit longer. The application still needs to go to a National Visa processing center which is in New Hampshire. From there they issue it a new number and it goes to the London embassy. Once the embassy has it they will issue a packet of information for Ray to fill out. Once that has been filled out and returned they will set up an interview with him. Apparently that interview is really just a double check that all the paperwork is completed and he will get the Visa at that time.

In the meantime Ray and I are sick of being apart and we decided to do something about it! My last day at Condie Construction is November 29th and on December 2nd I move to Northern Ireland! Exciting times to be sure. Ray is currently trying to secure both housing and a car and we are both very excited to finally get to be together. The plan is that I'll move there and then when the Visa is approved we will fly back to Utah and get married here. We are so looking forward to being together and I'm excited for my new adventure in Northern Ireland