Just thinking of my dear friends who have served in the military, especially Claude, Russ and Art. Art went to be with JC a couple years ago, but Claude I hope you are feeling better and Russ and Dorothy I think of your nice slides of Europe whenever I go into London. :) See you soon friends!
Most of you know that I grew up on Army bases until I was 8, so my family all had our time in the service. I'm thankful for my dad who had to sacrifice civilian life because a recession meant no jobs, and my little mouth needed feeding! It must have been hard, but I wouldn't be the resilient person I am without us all sharing Army life together.
The British version of Memorial Day is in November, and it's called Remembrance Sunday. It's in November. It's a solemn ocassion, with church services held in every village to honor the fallen. There are no British flags, no parades, no sales, nothing like that. But they do put a little cross or other religious symbol at the plaques to represent each soldier who died.
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, 28 May 2012
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Finally it's warm here!
The weather here isn't like home at all. It's milder, and colder. Tuesday was our first "warm" day, and it only just got over 70F. :) Today it was 30C, so in the 80s. People here don't know how to deal with the heat so they get dehydrated and throw up. It's funny the things you know and take for granted- like taking a water bottle with you when it's warm!
The kittens are young cats now, they were 6 months on the 20th. I can't believe how much they've grown! They are amazing little guys, attentive and affectionate. Whenever I stub my toe or shout "Ouch!" really loud, they come to check on me! And even though Nelly swats them often for no reason, when she meows and is upset they go check on her too. :) I'm thinking of taking all 3 cats on holiday with me over the next weekend, I think it'd be better than leaving them at home. Also it would help them get more used to each other.
It's an exciting time to be in England! The 2012 Olympics are in London this summer, and 2012 is the Queen's 60th year or reign, called the Diamond Jubilee. There are lots of extra public holidays which is great, and people are having street parties and all sorts of events to celebrate.
It turns out my horse Henry is even more stubborn than I previous thought. He will not cooperate for any reason, unless you have a Lifesaver to give him. Today I tried to put his bridle and bit on him, and he refused point blank. Someone helping me tried to force the issue but Henry is too strong. They both got really stressed, so I took Henry to calm him down and brought him back. I decided to try another way, and respect his right to say No. I spoke very softly to him, and only put something on him if he didn't object. Not the usual method but nothing to lose at this point! He responded very differently to me. "Reins ok, bit not. " So I took the reins and hooked them to his head collar. That was fine. "Saddle ok, you in the saddle not." So I took the saddle off to try bareback, still a No. But a calm No that was respected by me and not forced against his will. I don't want to sit on an animal's back if he doesn't want me there. So I walked him around, that was ok.
Pring for you all!
xx Kristi
The kittens are young cats now, they were 6 months on the 20th. I can't believe how much they've grown! They are amazing little guys, attentive and affectionate. Whenever I stub my toe or shout "Ouch!" really loud, they come to check on me! And even though Nelly swats them often for no reason, when she meows and is upset they go check on her too. :) I'm thinking of taking all 3 cats on holiday with me over the next weekend, I think it'd be better than leaving them at home. Also it would help them get more used to each other.
It's an exciting time to be in England! The 2012 Olympics are in London this summer, and 2012 is the Queen's 60th year or reign, called the Diamond Jubilee. There are lots of extra public holidays which is great, and people are having street parties and all sorts of events to celebrate.
It turns out my horse Henry is even more stubborn than I previous thought. He will not cooperate for any reason, unless you have a Lifesaver to give him. Today I tried to put his bridle and bit on him, and he refused point blank. Someone helping me tried to force the issue but Henry is too strong. They both got really stressed, so I took Henry to calm him down and brought him back. I decided to try another way, and respect his right to say No. I spoke very softly to him, and only put something on him if he didn't object. Not the usual method but nothing to lose at this point! He responded very differently to me. "Reins ok, bit not. " So I took the reins and hooked them to his head collar. That was fine. "Saddle ok, you in the saddle not." So I took the saddle off to try bareback, still a No. But a calm No that was respected by me and not forced against his will. I don't want to sit on an animal's back if he doesn't want me there. So I walked him around, that was ok.
Pring for you all!
xx Kristi
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Conversations pr update
Thanks for pring for my conversation with my old vicar here. It was rather dull but frustrating for me because he just doesn't understand the real nature of the problem. He was no help whatsoever and offered no help either. To be honest I'm glad to be part of a village church now. Pr for me to have time to speak to my new vicar who seems a wise woman, for her advice and help to be genuine and not just words.
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
Cream tea wedding
May is a busy month for wedding photographers! Had a lovely English village traditional wedding last week, and today a cream tea afternoon meal. I love sharing in the couple's day and celebrating with their family and friends.
English weddings are different than American ones. By English I mean not Ireland, Scotland or Wales. :) Southern England in particular is like a movie! There's no separation of church and state here- Church of England (C of E for short) is the official religion. That means the church had a government sanctioned and funded role. There are set agreed Sundays when communion must be offered, people must get married in the church in whose parish (=geographical are) they live. Couples can't just pick a pretty church. There is a standard order of service, including readings. I like it actually. It's more like a service and less like a production. Bridesmaids and groomsmen don't stand at tge front. The bride and groom don't stand on a podium. It isn't like a show or performance. Here's what it looks like:
-Guests all stand
-Bride is escorted in with bridesmaids behind her
-Bridesmaids sit down
-Bride, father and groom stay standing and face the altar (away from guests)
-Vicar asks if there's any lawful reason they can't marry
-Vicar talks about purpose of marriage and what it is
-Father gives bride away (usually veils not involved)
-"Will you take this man/woman to be your husband/wife?" Answer is "I will"
-Couple sits down on the right as members of congregation
-Readings
-Couple stand again
-Giving of rings, while saying standard vows " I give you this ring as a symbol of our love. With my body I honor you. All that I have I share with you." Sometimes adding "for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, so long as we both shall live."
- Vicar holds their hands and wraps the enormous long thin fabric he wears around his neck around the hands, saying "what God has joined let no man separate"
-Kiss
-Signing of the register, the legal record book each church keeps couple's details in. There's no marriage license. Witnesses sign too.
-Couple are announced and walk out straight outside. As they go out the church bells start ringing and ring for at least 15 min.
-Guests follow the couple out and all congratulate them (like a receiving line)
-photos then couple leave for reception
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
English weddings are different than American ones. By English I mean not Ireland, Scotland or Wales. :) Southern England in particular is like a movie! There's no separation of church and state here- Church of England (C of E for short) is the official religion. That means the church had a government sanctioned and funded role. There are set agreed Sundays when communion must be offered, people must get married in the church in whose parish (=geographical are) they live. Couples can't just pick a pretty church. There is a standard order of service, including readings. I like it actually. It's more like a service and less like a production. Bridesmaids and groomsmen don't stand at tge front. The bride and groom don't stand on a podium. It isn't like a show or performance. Here's what it looks like:
-Guests all stand
-Bride is escorted in with bridesmaids behind her
-Bridesmaids sit down
-Bride, father and groom stay standing and face the altar (away from guests)
-Vicar asks if there's any lawful reason they can't marry
-Vicar talks about purpose of marriage and what it is
-Father gives bride away (usually veils not involved)
-"Will you take this man/woman to be your husband/wife?" Answer is "I will"
-Couple sits down on the right as members of congregation
-Readings
-Couple stand again
-Giving of rings, while saying standard vows " I give you this ring as a symbol of our love. With my body I honor you. All that I have I share with you." Sometimes adding "for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, so long as we both shall live."
- Vicar holds their hands and wraps the enormous long thin fabric he wears around his neck around the hands, saying "what God has joined let no man separate"
-Kiss
-Signing of the register, the legal record book each church keeps couple's details in. There's no marriage license. Witnesses sign too.
-Couple are announced and walk out straight outside. As they go out the church bells start ringing and ring for at least 15 min.
-Guests follow the couple out and all congratulate them (like a receiving line)
-photos then couple leave for reception
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, 12 May 2012
A pony called Rosie
A horse blanket that I repaired
My cute kitten inspecting the foundation I've been redigging for a friend's workshop
I've leash trained my kittens, here we are going for a walk!
Sanding down a rusted horse thing to make it useful again
Putting in a new flower bed!
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
May 12!
I love May here- the days are very long, and the sun starts to come out. The fields are fluorescent yellow with flowering rapeseed. Potato crops are being harvested, the yummiest variety of potatoes $3 for 25lbs! And super sweet carrots, very delicious, $1 for 30lbs! Our region is called East Anglia, the breadbasket of England.
It hasn't been too warm here, just in the 60s and 30s at night. But there's still light in the sky at 10:20pm, and the sky grows light in the morning at 4:30am. I've been out making friends with horses- I'm renting a horse, his name is Henry, and he's an American Appaloosa. Very pretty, smart, but rather strong willed. Which is ok- I know how to deal with that. :) He lives at a rescue center. I'm really enjoying getting involved there!
Thanks for pring for me all these years, it's much appreciated! This week I had some difficult conversations with a few people, one of them was with the pastor of my old chch here. He had offered me help regarding a tricky and downright hard situation, and when I asked him for that help he told me to find someone else. I spoke to the head pastor, who told me the same thing. I felt really angry at them both for not doing their jobs, for going back on their words, and for being unloving. But Gd is the one they have wronged, and Gd speaks for us and defends us when others won't. JC said we shouldn't claim to love Him when we don't love people who are right in front of us. It was hard to respond firmly but with love to these 2 chch leaders. Pr that I'd let it go and not dwell on it, and that I'd be glad and thankful for all of my true friends.
I hope the weather is good there, I'm really missing you all back home!
lots of love!
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
It hasn't been too warm here, just in the 60s and 30s at night. But there's still light in the sky at 10:20pm, and the sky grows light in the morning at 4:30am. I've been out making friends with horses- I'm renting a horse, his name is Henry, and he's an American Appaloosa. Very pretty, smart, but rather strong willed. Which is ok- I know how to deal with that. :) He lives at a rescue center. I'm really enjoying getting involved there!
Thanks for pring for me all these years, it's much appreciated! This week I had some difficult conversations with a few people, one of them was with the pastor of my old chch here. He had offered me help regarding a tricky and downright hard situation, and when I asked him for that help he told me to find someone else. I spoke to the head pastor, who told me the same thing. I felt really angry at them both for not doing their jobs, for going back on their words, and for being unloving. But Gd is the one they have wronged, and Gd speaks for us and defends us when others won't. JC said we shouldn't claim to love Him when we don't love people who are right in front of us. It was hard to respond firmly but with love to these 2 chch leaders. Pr that I'd let it go and not dwell on it, and that I'd be glad and thankful for all of my true friends.
I hope the weather is good there, I'm really missing you all back home!
lots of love!
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Cinco de Mayo
It's been a busy week here. It's rained for like 3 weeks at least and there are floods everywhere! In many parts of the UK (including East Anglia where we live) there's officially a drought. Ground water supplies are so low that if things don't improve they're threatening standpipes at the end of each street. That means no running water in homes! I for one am not waiting around to see whether that is going to happen- I'm looking into setting up a very big rainwater system with a huge tank to store water. Useful that I studied water engineering. :) Seriously though, I can do without the dishwasher and I can bathe with 2 1L bottles of water (I've practiced!) I can hand flush toilets. I'd rather keep using the eco washing machine if possible. :) I'm sure some of you have lived without running water, send me your tips.
If I can find a proper storage tank for cheap, I can funnel all the rainwater into it. Then it needs to go through a filter- I made massive sand filters in Cambodia, I can do the same here. After the gravity fed sand filter the water needs to be pumped through a UV light chamber to kill everything. Then you need to use a pump to pump the water inside for bathing, cooking and washing clothes/dishes. I can't wait to get started! :)
I spent 7 hours today taking care of horses- it can be back breaking work at times but it's worth the effort. At home I have 4 litter boxes to keep up with, plus food, water and cuddles for Nelly and the 2 kittens. I love it, but I don't know how people with lots of kids manage to have enough time with each child. 2 must be hard enough!
I've missed my family this week- we're the type that all help when a project needs doing, and I could have used the help in redoing the floor of this workshop. I've been slowly transferring the soil (now that I busted up and removed the concrete) to a space that I want to make into a flower bed. But it's taken ages doing it on my own. I'm at the stage where I'm levelling the soil of the floor so I can put gravel and then sand down, followed by the paving slabs! When the foundation is finished the corners need squaring, rotten wood needs replacing, and then I need to build a half wall which a big window will sit on. Somedays it is hard to keep my eye on the end goal.
The village chch is great- it's a liturgical service with hymns but no sheet music! The congregation is about 30, mostly older folks which is perfect for me. I miss you Living Proof class! :)
I hear the weather has been nice there! Don't forget sunscreen and fluids.
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
If I can find a proper storage tank for cheap, I can funnel all the rainwater into it. Then it needs to go through a filter- I made massive sand filters in Cambodia, I can do the same here. After the gravity fed sand filter the water needs to be pumped through a UV light chamber to kill everything. Then you need to use a pump to pump the water inside for bathing, cooking and washing clothes/dishes. I can't wait to get started! :)
I spent 7 hours today taking care of horses- it can be back breaking work at times but it's worth the effort. At home I have 4 litter boxes to keep up with, plus food, water and cuddles for Nelly and the 2 kittens. I love it, but I don't know how people with lots of kids manage to have enough time with each child. 2 must be hard enough!
I've missed my family this week- we're the type that all help when a project needs doing, and I could have used the help in redoing the floor of this workshop. I've been slowly transferring the soil (now that I busted up and removed the concrete) to a space that I want to make into a flower bed. But it's taken ages doing it on my own. I'm at the stage where I'm levelling the soil of the floor so I can put gravel and then sand down, followed by the paving slabs! When the foundation is finished the corners need squaring, rotten wood needs replacing, and then I need to build a half wall which a big window will sit on. Somedays it is hard to keep my eye on the end goal.
The village chch is great- it's a liturgical service with hymns but no sheet music! The congregation is about 30, mostly older folks which is perfect for me. I miss you Living Proof class! :)
I hear the weather has been nice there! Don't forget sunscreen and fluids.
- Posted on the go using BlogPress from my iPhone
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)