Am I Jinxing It?

If I tell you that we are moving into our new place on Monday?? Man, I hope not. But, there you have it. Monday, July 12th at 11:00AM. Fourteen days later than we were originally told. I'm not bitter, anymore. I'm just ready.

"We have so much time and so little to do! Strike that, reverse it." -Willy Wonka

Our weekends are filled with trying to get things purchased. The hard part is deciding what we need as soon as we get there and what can wait a couple days. The problem with buying it now is that we have to move it and get it out to Cobham. So far, we have 2 suitcases, 1 large suitcase, 1 huge duffle bag, 3 boxes that came ground shipment from home, one HUGE box of linen items that I ordered here, an air mattress (in a box), assorted grocery items, 3 large bags of accumulated items, 2 large dog crates and two smaller dogs. Okay... not a lot, really. But, it is a lot if we think we are going to get it all in a cab! Guess we are going to have to contact "a guy in a van" type operation.

We did make another large purchase this week and it is waiting on us in Cobham. We bought the one thing that I didn't think we would need living in London. But, I guess since we aren't technically in London, we found it to be a necessity. Yes, that's right... I've joined the ranks of other mothers and we are now the proud owner of a station wagon.

Okay... it's not a station wagon, it's a four-door hatch. I guess it's as close to a station wagon as we get these days. But hey... it's not a mini van, therefore, I'm still somewhat a cool mom.

If you care to look it up, we bought a 2003 Peugeot 307. Not my dream car, but it fits our needs for now.

If you know me, you know I love the driving experience... not sure this is going to do it for me long term, but not knowing how long our stay was, we weren't willing to buy new. Also, since this isn't my baby (the car) I won't really get upset if Baby spits up all over this car or spills his cheerios everywhere.

Anyway with this purchase, you are probably asking why we don't transport our own stuff to Cobham. Well, I'll tell you... I'm not going to let my first drive on the wrong side of the road be IN London. I need a little time to get used to the idea of getting in on the wrong side of the car and driving on the left side of the road. See? Even typing that, I had to stop and think about what side they drive on. RIGHT, people!!! IT SHOULD BE RIGHT!! I also need time to learn all the crazy street markings. Once again (like a lot of things here), it's not simplified.

And if you're wondering if I need a license to drive here, well I do. So do you! The good thing is that your US license works for a year. And that's a year from your arrival date. After that you do have to get a UK drivers license. From what I understand it's a pretty tough program, but once you have it, you have for life (or maybe until your 70 - or whichever comes first).

Other big things... my mother arrives on Wednesday the 14th. Our Ikea shipment arrives the very next day. So, I hope she's in the mood to assemble furniture. I can't wait to see my mother. This is one of the longest separations we've ever had. Thank goodness for video chat. I hope I have enough time to show her around town a little before the baby decides to arrive. I have been making a list of a few places to show her.

I'll share one, now. The Borough Market. This is actually our favorite market, and we hit it regularly on our last visit here. So far in the last two months, I've only hit it once. Not sure why, though. If you are a foodie, this is foodie heaven. I know both my parents will enjoy it, but the main reason I want to go is to buy Burnt Sugar. My facebook friends already know about this, as I've gone on and on about it. But, it Burnt Sugar is a taste from my past - yet, I didn't know it or expect it to be. Bought a little on a whim.

Have you ever had one of those?? A taste that you always remember??? You can taste it so vividly in your mind no matter how long it's been since you've had it??? Well, for me I have about three of those. Things that I can still taste, but can't have or find, but it's permanently embedded in my brain and taste buds. One is my grandmother's Lebanese bread. I've found close, but just not quite. The other is cherry Certs. Why don't they make those anymore?? And the third... one of my most favorite flavors in the world... the little praline squares that were found in the bottom of the chip basket at Monterrey House. Well, guess what. I've found that flavor, and it turns out it's in the form of burnt sugar.

They call it fudge here, but it is in no way close to what we call fudge. Number one, it's not chocolate. Number two, it's not a fudgey texture (well, fudge that is made the right way, anyway). And three, it's pralines from Monterrey House - plain and simple! I bought a few squares (see? squares!) just to see what they were all about. Later, Scott and I tried a bite - I just couldn't believe what I was tasting. Scott agreed - it's the same! I'm so excited!

So, I plan to take my mother back and stock up. I know she'll want a bag, too - and so will just about anyone in my family. I think I'm seeing some future Christmas presents here!

I know it's crazy to get so excited over something, but it's been over twenty years since I've been able to find that flavor for real... now that I have, I hope I don't ruin it by tasting it too often - but, I really don't think that's possible.

Here's the link for those that might be at the Borough Market and grew up on Monterrey House:

http://www.burntsugar.co.uk/our_sweets/

It's the one called Crumbly Fudge with Sea Salt.

Our weeks have been filled with finishing up antenatal courses and hospital visits in the country (making it an almost all day event). We did celebrate the 4th at a picnic event hosted by one of the overseas political parties. It was great to have a REAL hotdog, REAL yellow mustard and whoopie pie! Also for this coming weekend, Scott has purchased tickets to go to Kew Gardens for a picnic and a Queen cover band. Sounds like a fun time, actually. This will be our last chance to do nothing for a few weeks and I'm looking forward to it.

Hopefully the next time I post it will be from the beautiful village of Cobham!!