A Few Observations

I've been trying to remember to jot down things that, even though they aren't big things, are just kind of bizarre to Americans. At home in the US, I'm sure we have quirks and oddities that are just a way of life, not a second thought to it. But a foreigner might roll their eyes at and question it. Of course, I can't think of a single one... because we have it right. (I'm saying the word "sarcasm" in my sing-song voice, but not quite sure which font to use to get that point accross.)

(Or am I??)

DISCLAIMER: To any British friends (if they read this), these are not insults. Just differences and slight irritations. Insert winking face here.

I hate not being able to go to the grocery store late at night. At home, it was an early Sunday morning ritual. Though I was never a late shopper, I enjoyed having the convenience of shopping late if I wanted to or needed to (night before Thanksgiving comes to mind). But now because of a baby, I would prefer to go at night when Scott is home.

Unfortunately, the grocery stores close at 8:00PM (4:00PM on Sundays) and if you wait until closing time, odds are you won't get some items on your list because that stuff is G-O-N-E. There is one store called Tesco, in another village a short drive away, that advertises to be open 24-hours. However, we discovered that on Sunday, 24-hours means they close at 4PM and weekdays it means 10PM. WTH??

I also miss the convenience of one-stop-shopping. I mean, as a small business owner (at one time), I kind of appreciate the fact that the grocery stores in England aren't trying to dip into everyone else's business. However, when the other stores shut down at 5PM, it makes me not really give a crap. If the other stores want the business, they would extend their hours. Households with two working adults must really be out of luck, because I know they aren't getting home before 6PM. Oh, in things in London aren't much better. I think stores pretty much shut down at 7PM. I guess London is a town that sleeps.

Another thing that is slightly irritating is the tv selection. I'm noticing this more now that I'm in the house with an infant. We went with satellite to get the most channels, yet there is nothing on. I know, I know... we say this at home, too. But, there seems to be a lot of repeats. And I'm not talking replaying the shows once the season is over. I'm talking playing three episodes of one show, then seeing the same three on another channel and THEN the same three played on the first channel later that afternoon. And these are shows that probably have about ten seasons or more. I don't get it! Family Guy comes on at night, two episodes in a row. I can almost bet you twenty-dollars that if you watch it all week, you'll see at least one episode twice, maybe three times.

Still scratching my head at some of the way things are done with NHS. I now take Will in for bi-weekly weigh-ins. This is fine and dandy, but these clinics are once a week and about a 2-hour window. If you don't get an appointment, then you are driving to another village. Also, Will has his 8-week GP appointment in a couple weeks. But, I have to take him in for his weight and measurements the day before. They can't do this during his appointment?? I'm glad I'm not a working mom. Though, in the UK, I think there are no working moms at 8-weeks. They are fortunate that they get a very long maternity leave. Still completely freaked out about having to carry his records with me. What if I lose them? What if we have a house fire? What if a tornado blows through? What if the dog eats them??

Okay, gripes over. Here are the hearts:

Towel Warmers. Enough said.

Flowers are cheap. I buy flowers at the grocery store every week. For once in my life, I have fresh flowers on the table all the time. And this is coming from someone that has either owned a flower shop or worked in the industry. For all of her adult life.

I love how green it is here. And not just the grass outside... I'm talking about the environment. EVERYONE uses their own bags at the store.

If you don't compost, you have food bins to keep under your sink so that the county can compost your old food scraps - not filling up landfills with old food and putting it to good use. The selection of cleaning and everyday products that are enviro-friendly seem to be larger here than in the US. Garbage is only picked up every other week, so you either have to think of ways to cut back on garbage, or take it to the dump yourself. And that place was impressive. You have to sort your own waste so that as much can be recycled as possible.

Here are some of my new food loves. At our first farmers market, we discovered Anila's. Anila's has a really large selection of curries, pickles and sauces. My mother is hooked on her Chili Pickle. That stuff is hot. Finally, someone says something is hot and means it. My favorite is the Tindoori Pickle. I bought a jar and put it on everything. By day two, the jar was gone and I found myself on her website hunting down the other area markets she attends because I couldn't wait a month to get another jar. Here's her link:

http://www.anilassauces.com/

Sweet corn season has hit. It seems really strange to be buying really fresh corn in late September. At home, this season is around July. But, it is SWEET and it is GOOD. Because I've rarely see it in the stores until now, we are having corn like once a week.

Custard. Wow. This stuff is good. Not at all what we call custard at home. It's a much thinner consistency. It tastes like warm vanilla pudding right off the stove. Except you buy it in a carton at the store, warm it and pour it over cake or fruit. I like it cold and could easily sit and eat the entire thing. I haven't yet, but I know I'm quite capable of it.

People, Americans and Brits, keep asking me what I miss most. Besides the obvious friends and family, I always draw a blank... so, I must not be missing that much. However, on occasion I think of things and I try to make note. I'll list a few now, and save some for future posts:

-a garbage disposal (yet, this contradicts my composting statement above)

-American toilets (some of you might know what I'm talking about, Willis)

-REAL shopping malls

-Nordstrom's shoe department

-Longhorn football - we have perfect football weather (even puts me in the mood)

-Seeing the Rangers play in person (of all years, dammit!! Thank goodness for ESPN-US)

-the MINI. Not liking the Peugeot driving experience.

-USDA beef (but, you can't beat the lamb here)

-Sprinkles, Marco's & Scotty P's.

-a sprayer on the kitchen sink

Like I said... just a few from my list (gripes, loves and misses). I'll save some for another date.

Let's see... it's 9:45AM. Let's see how long William might give me to get dressed this morning. I'm betting I get about 10-minutes before he decides he's hungry. I had better hurry!