Awful (long distance) Wife

Stuart went for his knee op today and it was done by the time I woke up. I phoned the ward and they sad they were just giving him something to eat then they were going to put him on his feet. She then said I could pick him up a 2:30pm! Hmm I had to say I was a long distance wife. Stu phoned as soon as he got home and sounded remarkably well. He was actually saying he had the wonderful feeling of being drunk but not with any of the nasty feeling sick bits. Because there is no one with him, the nurses wanted to have someone check he is still alright - that is my job as wife :) We agreed he would phone me in the afternoon at work for his first check in. Well, I have to say, shamefully, I wandered away from my desk just before three (the checkin time!) and it wasn't until I looked at my watch, half an hour later, that I realised what I had done. What an awful wife, Stuart said I could never be a nurse as I would forget all my patients!

I just phoned Stuart for his next 6 hourly watch. It was 9pm here and 3am in the morning back home. He sounded more awake than me!

My bug man came today and did a spray inside and outside the house. He said you should expect more bugs in the house for two weeks and then they should start to disappear. He will then come back at set periods over the year. They actually, from this point forward, treat the outside of the house to stop the little bleeps getting in. He confirmed the pooh was a cockroaches! Lovely. Tonight, I came back to find a large roach on it back :) It was about the size of the one that came in this morning while I was eating breakfast. That one chased me through the living room - and I mean it really did chase me, I was screaming and running for my life. I tried to catch it with a glass to put it outside, but failed, and when it started to head towards my bedroom, I decided enough was enough so I got it with my trusty Raid. So maybe tonight's one is a cousin, and I still have to account for the other family members!

Except for my hour with the personal trainer I have been lazy today. I could not face the treadmill. Tomorrow I must get back to it, as I still have two big sessions to complete before the end of the week!

Today's photos are (from the top) :

1) My commute to work to show you the dreadful traffic I encounter!

2) Is of the road works that have been on going since I arrived (however, because there is no traffic they are not an issue except for the occasional time when you have to force yourself in to the one lane of traffic because no one give you a space, you have to make that yourself!), and

3) but finally, it a picture of the office block in which we occupy a couple of floors.

Thinking of Stu

In light of my embarrassing 'roach' story yesterday. I had a consultation with a number of longer term Houstonians to find out what they do about 'the problem'. And I have now arranged the Orkinman, who is meant to be one of the best exterminators, to come and sort the issue. You pay a years subscription and they keep on top of all the nasties that want in the house. What I haven't mentioned is that what has been more troubling for me is the faeces pellets I keep finding in my kitchen cupboards, even now I have all food in storage containers. One I don't know who's pooh it is and second, I don't want it around my food! Case closed (hopefully!)

Tonight I rushed out after work for my swim, as told by my trainer, and then I had to be at Laura's for 7pm or earlier as we were going to the cinema in Downtown, called Angelika's. Laura had picked up some free vouchers for a love film called Adam (I thought it was called Paul!), anyway poor Chris, Laura's boyfriend was not so enthusiastic about the lovie dovie film! However, We arrived just before the start of the film to be told they had no more seats (obviously lots of people had free passes as well!). The next OK film at a decent time was called 'Hangover'. Four guys on a stag weekend to Las Vegas and they have a big night, cant remember any of it the next morning, they lose the stag etc etc and only just make it back for the wedding. It was a boys film by far (actually at least 80%, of the quarter filled cinema, was men!). However, I did find it quite funny and annoyingly stupid in other parts :)

Downtown is really different to the rest of Houston. It is full of sky scrapers, the streets are mostly one ways in a grid pattern and all the car parking is underground. Laura says she always gets lost down there, and I was pleased I had met them at Laura's house (near Downtown) before trying navigating there by myself for the first time. When we came out of the cinema we were all hungry (we decided not to have popcorn because it was $6 for the smallest tub - you could get a three course meal for that!), however, downtown was dead and all the restaurants were closing - at 9:30pm! I did, however, take a picture of Hard Rock Cafe for you.

Well, it is late and I am off to sleep, but I can have an extra half an hour in bed as I cant talk to Stuart tomorrow morning because he is in for his knee op :( We are all wishing him a speed recovery.

I am thinking of you Stu xxx

A Stowaway

Something hitched a ride in my gym bag today. At the gym there are granite benches and when I opened my bag, to my horror, a cockroach came scurrying out! He, or she, was a big so and so, with a very shiny shell I noticed! Fortunately, there was no one else in my changing bay, because after the initial fright, I was laughing and very embarrassed! So I shooed it away (I didn't dare try and step on it, I only had sandals on!), and it ran off in to the next changing bay. I was desperate to tell my story to someone, but I couldn't :(


I heard someone squeal when I went back down to changing room, I hope that was nothing to do with our creepy friend!

The office was unbelievably cold today, I don't think I got rid of my goose pimples until I left the office this evening into the lovely warm air :) Oh as a follow up on lunch, today I got there at 1130 on the dot so plenty of salad, but we had a an interesting combination chicken with an egg spread on it and cooked?! I scraped off the egg, as it was surplus to requirement! Maybe it was some strange local delicacy, mind you, I should be thankful it was a second day of no cheese, which is a miracle!!!

I got to eat some of my turkey mince tonight but it was just alright, it was missing Stuart's culinary touch.

I was talking to my fitness instructor about vegetables and what are our favourite things. I asked him if he had ever had beetroot leaves, and he had never heard of beetroot, even when I described it! I said next time I am at the shops I will have a look for it and bring it into the gym. I am not sure if it is called something different?! I have been told to go swimming tomorrow instead of running - yippee! I am quite excited - how sad.

One last thing. I am just watching the news and it was a story that a women is getting sued by a company she made a comment about on Twitter. Whatever next - I might get done if I talk badly of a company!!!

Shake that booty!

I am sitting here watching 'Dance your ass off''! And it really is just as it sounds. Very large people in a dance competition that not only do they getting rated on their dancing, but also their weight loss! The dancing is really good and far more entertaining to watch than Strictly Come Dancing. I am waiting for my dinner to finish cooking, turkey mince, but since it is now after nine I don't feel like it so I will have it ready for the rest of the week. The turkey mince was not quite like the UK it was more mushy, I think that is the best description! Hopefully with the extra chilli flakes I put in, all I will get is heat :)

Work flew by today, I must have been working hard. Lunch came about like the click of a finger. But I was disappointed as I got there 15 minutes late to discover there was no salad to have with the chicken salad! So I, like a number of others, ended up with chicken and fruit salad - a different combination! For some reason the server had decided one bowl of salad was enough for 70 people. That doesn't often happen, but it is annoying when it does.

Ok that is hot, I have just had a little taste of my mince, and it hot in temperature (so now I have a burnt tongue) and hot in spice.

Guess what I did this evening. Yep, a gym whore again! I did the same running session as last Monday, and it was considerably easier. I had to basically switch between different heart rate zones, but today was only zone 1 & 2, whilst yesterday was zones 2 & 3 (higher heart rates). My watch then makes you get back from the high heart rate of zone 2 down to the bottom of zone 1, before moving to the next set, so the quicker your recovery, the quicker the work out is over and done with -well, that is how I view it. But it was still 50 minutes in total on the treadmill. My poor feet are in desperate need for a pedicure and TLC. I also did my personal fitness trainer routine, like I did yesterday. Tomorrow will be the test, but today I was not stiff at all and I think it is because ofthe streching I have been told to do before and after running, as I say day two is normally the test so I will let you know.

I spoke to Laura who told me all about her long weekend away in Cozumel. It sounded great and beats cleaning the house! Not long before our tubing weekend in Austin - I don't think I have mentioned that one, but will tell you more nearer the time.

My only final bit of useless information is that I wanted to show you how long milk lasts here. I am still amazed by how fresh milk can last months. I bought this carton this evening and its sell by date (because I don't think you can read it on the photo) is 11 September - we are only the 27th July! Eek!!!

All grossed out!

No Sunday lie in, again! I had to be at the gym for 8am for my second attempt at my resting metabolic rate. Success! I even nearly fell asleep at the end of the test. She told my by some magic what my calorie intake should be if I was at rest all day, therefore in bed all day. From there she calculated how many calories I should have when at work and doing no workout, and another one when I am doing a workout. Although she was not a dietitian, that is another person!, she suggested the calorie spilt through the day. What has become more obvious is that my three meals a day is certainly not good enough while exercising. She was shocked when I said I eat lunch at 1130 and then don't eat until dinner at 1900-2000!

After seeing her, I had brought a banana in because I needed to do my training session from Friday, but I hadn't had breakfast. It was the toughest session I have done so far, but good, and plenty of sweating. After that, I did the stretching and strength routine that my personal trainer had set for me. I got home at 1100 and there was just enough time for a quick swim in the pool before skyping!

After many hours of speaking to home, that was lovely, I decided to do one of the nastier outstanding jobs in the house. Laura will be very proud of me! I cleaned the air conditioning vent right above my head as I watch TV. It has been disgusting since I got here, for some reason it is the only one that was not cleaned before I moved in. Laura had warned me the mould spores are not good for me. So out came my little step ladder. I had bought myself marigolds and bleach. I tried to clean it in position with my (old) toothbrush. But, I couldn't get really into it. So I decided to unscrew it from the celling. As I have no idea what is behind these things I was just hoping it was not going to be anything nasty! It wasn't. Anyway, after a good scrub it looks like new. However, putting it up again was a bit of a struggle and I was sweating lots (I don't think the photo shows it). I am such a girl as my shoulders were aching as I tried to screw in the two little screws! Since I was over being grossed out about things, I braved myself to change the in-take filter, the one that is above my head! When I undid the wing nut the thing crashed down, dead cockroaches and all - yuk! One of those cockroaches must have been the one I had heard the other evening scurrying around!

I did a full clean of the house and you would have laughed as I decided to wash the floor in my bikini so I could go for a swim while the floor was drying! I am glad no one came to the door!

Well, God is moving his furniture (Mum used to tell me that when there was thunder so I wasn't frightened!). And there was a bit of rain so I still haven't had to water the grass, that is a whole week now :)

A day of nothing in particular

If I hadn't agreed to Skype Stuart reasonably early I think I would have stayed in bed a little longer! However, I sat and had my breakfast while skyping. Poor Stuart always has to put up with me speaking with my mouth full of breakie every morning!

Mum, you will pleased to read I have finally sent something you wanted back. I have found the best place to post things. The guys in the store are always helpful and help me get the best solution/price to send items international. I have been to quite a few post offices and most have had a sour faced individual behind the desk that would rather no be there and are particularly unhelpful. (I might have said this before!)

I had had an email earlier in the week from our car rental company telling me I needed an oil change so I went to 'Jiffy Lube', because I liked the name. It was like a drive through car wash. There was at least 8 guys and they were all hurrying around my car. There was one poor guy under the floor doing the oil change - you can imagine how hot and sweaty that job must be.

I hadn't been in the pool all week, but before I could jump in I had to clear a million flying ants that had decided it was a landing pad last night. It was great in the water and I tried out my new webbed gloves for swimming. They are meant to increase resistance in the water - I just wanted something to give me a bit of variation while swimming. I managed to read two geological papers on the sunbed before I fell asleep! I then woke feeling decidedly hot and slightly sick so I sloped off to the shade.

I rang Danny, who had spent the day cleaning, not much more than me then and I said we could meet for coffee. In the end, we went for a frozen yogurt. It was called 'Swirls' and they had loads of different flavours and then you could top the yogurt off with fruit pieces, and obviously plenty of sweet things, if you wanted. We then went to the Container Shop. You can buy anything that relates to a container, plus for some reason, any shape, size or colour of coat hanger. It was like being in a sweetie shop there was so many different boxes. What I really needed was jars for the kitchen to stop those cockroaches getting near my food!

BBQ dinner this evening. Another steak! I have just learnt another point for the BBQ - don't skimp on the amount of charcoal you put in! Apart from that, it was good although there was definitely something missing! Can you work out what it is? Yes alcohol. Because I have my resting metabolic rate measurement tomorrow morning I have to abstain, only water :(

Just watching Die Hard :)

A Wee Bit of Retail Therapy

Yes, it is Friday!

Even though we don't have nine day fortnight, Friday's tend to have less meeting. Today I managed a full days interpretation, except the odd times to walk away from my computer screens to re-adjust my eyes from being square to round again!

I left a little early to meet the handyman who was coming to check out the sprinkler system. However, the long and short of it seems like it is not leaking and I just need to cut back more on watering. As I have said I haven't watered all this week because we have had rain showers, unlike most of my neighbours!

I had a wee shopping trip this evening - I only bought a little amount of things :) It was all things I really need, but no shoes :)

This will make you laugh! I lost my car in the car park at the shopping centre, again. Actually, this time I really thought it had been stolen, but no it was just about 4 sections over from where I was looking. What didn't help was that I had come out of a different door. Even though I have a high car, it is still tiny compared to all the trucks so you cant see it behind or between them!

My cat was around the back of the house again. It was watching me through the window so I decided to try and say hello, however, it ran away! I put out some water (milk will go off too quickly). The cat is quite skinny, but as Stuart has said you would be thin if you had a fur coat in this heat!

Oh since Stuart asked - yes the frog in yesterday's photo was dead, actually it had rigamortis!

Rain, Rain, Glorious Rain

What has happened to the over 100F temperatures and drought. We have had thunderstorms for the past two days. Last night, just as I was going to sleep, there was a dramatic lightening display and the thunder was pretty 'awesome', shaking all the windows in the house again! Since we are on the lucky thirteenth floor you get an excellent view of storms coming in. The rain got so heavy you could see more than a couple of feet out the window as the storm past overhead. Afterwards, there was a really weird cloud that I tried to take a photo of.

When I got back home this evening I found a victim of the rain in my pool. I had lots of fun poking him to get him in a good photographic position!

But what is this brown lump of stuff also in the pool?!.................

I went around and fished frog and lump out and got my hair bobble that was still at the bottom of the pool from the weekend. I also got up on my step ladder to clean the gutters which keep over flowing, however, they are really bad. I need to find something better than a broom to clean them! Mind you, I might first see if there is anything in my contract to see who is responsible - me or the landlord. Maybe I will ask his handy man to do it! Actually, the handy man should be coming around tomorrow to have a look at the sprinkler system to check for a leak - we will see if he finds anything.

Stuart said I am boring because all I have had to talk about this week is the gym so I am not going to mention I had my first proper session with my fitness trainer tonight :)

Not rested enough

I was up at 5am and made it to the gym for 6am to getting my resting metabolic rate tested, but I failed, I wasn't rested enough because I had done too much exercise the night before! I nearly cried at the thought of having to get up 5am again for another test so she said we would do at it a more decent hour on Sunday. The only downside is I cant drink any alcohol over the weekend, but on the upside she told me not to train on Friday and Saturday - yippee!

So I was at work pretty early this morning, but that was good as we had our presentation to give today - a green hat session for those the know De Bono. All went well plenty of ideas generated.

I haven't told you about my shocking water bill this month. According to the metre I have used 25,000 gallons last month. Well from talking to everyone at work that is virtually impossible without another explanation - a leak?! So I raised it with the landlord as there is an area of grass that is always wet and I put it down to the sprinkler and nothing else, however, I have turned the sprinklers off and it is still wet! I hope we can sort this asap as it is making some shocking water bills in the meantime.

I am just finishing a double session of Torchwood on BBC America!

Pinched and Proded

Day two of the 'fitness frenzy' and I a worn out. Last night getting 5 1/2 hours sleep is not sufficient and I am trying to go to be early tonight as well since I need to be at the gym for 6am tomorrow! That means a 5am wake up! Not to mention a busy day at the office tomorrow as we have our first presentation to make about the area I am working on!

Since getting home I have been busy measuring the air con filters as I need to replace them, Laura tells me every month! Well I haven't done it yet and it is over two! And trying to work out the filter I need for my water dispenser in the fridge that is also indicating it need changed.

I went to gym straight after work thinking I would manage to get my training session out of the way and done by the time I met the personal trainer. I went swimming but I could reach the heart rates as per my programme so I ended up doing twenty minutes in the pool getting changed and then going to my hour session with the trainer. Tonight was just measuring bit such as body fat, strength and flexibility. I really did not like the calipers for the body fat but I have fat, so plenty to pinch! I was really rubbish at flexibility, but I knew that, however, my strength (in my arms) was considered excellent for my age group (only elite is better!). All in all I have got a starting fitness age of 29, which is better than what I expected and, obviously, if I work hard I could get to a fitness age of 19!!! I think that is rather optimistic at this stage.

Unfortunately, since I had not achieved my training session before the trainer I had to do that after! So once again home later than I wanted. Once I get into a routine I will be fine although I really will be stiff by the weekend and in need of a rest!

Here is a random picture of Stu and I from my last day in Aberdeen because I havent managed anything else this evening. My hubbie and I! We are doing the 'biting an apple' grin!

The Fitness Frenzy Begins

Dad complained I don't mention work on the blog so I will do it today! Work is fine, actually it is interesting and I am enjoying it. Each day presents itself with new challenges, although not always geological. The office atmosphere, as I have mentioned before, is really good and relaxed (but not in a lazy way). There are plenty of people to go to about work problems . I am finding myself getting increasingly busy and I even agreed to look in to arranging an office social event! I just cant help myself :) I will go into more detail once I have started the planning.

Today I left work a little later as I didn't need to be at the gym until 6pm for my cardio test! I have to say I was a little apprehensive. The first things I was given was a heart monitor as pictured (it says my name on the watch :) ) The strap goes around my rib cage. Apparently, it is waterproof so I will use it in the pool, I will test that tomorrow! The next thing I was given was a face mask. How can I describe it - a neoprene mask with a pipe coming out the front of it. I looked like some alien cartoon character when wearing it and got plenty of smirks by passers by. The mask was actually quite claustrophobic and that was obviously why they had asked me beforehand. I found it odd to breathe through as you had to breath in and out of your mouth, however, at low rates of exercise I tend to breath through my nose. So I was on a treadmill, with the mask attached via a cable to a computer, that read my carbon dioxide and oxygen input/output. She started me off at a walk and we gradually increased speed and elevation on the treadmill. By the time 10 minutes had past and I was at 6 deg incline I was happily breathing in and out of my mouth! The ordeal was over pretty quick and I whipped off the mask as soon as possible. The fitness instructor then asked me lots of questions about what I want to achieve and then has designed a plan for me, and it started tonight! There was me thinking I had another week before I had to get into it :) The plan obviously gets harder through my 12 week program and I see my fitness instructor, Jo, a guy who actually trained one of the other girls at Maersk not so long ago, twice a week and on top of that I train the other three days plus an additional half an hour after seeing him. I wont be recognizable if I stick to plan (and at this price I will)!

I had arranged to see the landlords daughter to handover a cheque at 1930 so I had to rush home after my first session (thinking that is all I would have to do today!). So I ended up having some dinner at home before heading back to the gym at 2100 for my first session on my own. A 45 minute session on the treadmill controlling my heart rate between certain limits. It is much harder than you think and I was continually updating the speed on the treadmill, which actually helped the time pass quickly, fortunately. I was momentarily distracted when a women had a nasty fall on the treadmill down the line. She increased the speed dramatically, somehow, and then next thing she was clinging onto the rails with her hands before the machine eventually whipped her off the back. She was not a young lady and I think will have some nasty tyre burns tomorrow. Her friend just watched this happen rather than pressing the emergency stop button! What are friends for. Anyway, I completed my first day of many training sessions, and I am already stiff so god knows how I will manage with 1.30 hr session tomorrow :) I am also going to have to buy some more gym kit as I am going to be using everyday and I only have a couple of tops and socks!

Right late again so must getting my beauty sleep and rest these legs!

Biking and Painting

I had agreed with Andy last night that we would go for a bike ride again in the morning. Having had a late night, you can imagine when my alarm went off at 7:30am I was less than impressed, however, Andy and I confirmed to meet in an hours time at the same place as last week. It was almost chilly when I went outside. The grass was all wet and it reminded me of a late summers morning with a heavy dew and the sun is shining. I set off leaving Laura asleep, I was confident she would not get up until I got back!

Andy and I cycled into George Bush Park - this week we went the correct way! We resting beside a nice pond/lake before cycling into the bush. There was a sign 'watch out for animals'! The tracks we rough to cycle on, and the mud was amazingly sticky. My tyres, which are not particularly wide, got caked in mud, to the point it became difficult to cycle.

By the time I got back to the house two hours later, I was cooking. I had done 17 miles on the odometer but it felt like double that in the heat. Laura was just up and we both immediately jumped in the pool. However, it was quite cool compared to normal! For breakfast I made us poached eggs, using Mum's Christmas present, again.

Following my late morning skyping and calling, I went back to Laura's to help paint her garage apartment, that she is trying to get ready for renting. I have to say I was the one pushing to do it, but by heck did we sweat. Laura lent me a pair of light grey shorts - not a colour to wear when it is hot! Laura was on roller and I was on the paint brush for the edges. Anyhow, we managed to paint one room and it now looks really good. What was even more satisfying is the paint was free!

Laura cooked me dinner and it was great. I was feeling very hungry :) I left at 8pm and on the way home I saw some really scary looking rain clouds, however, it seems it has not come to anything although I was worried.

A short Saturday

I am just sitting waiting for Laura and Andy to come around for a BBQ, but they are late! The funny thing is there is really bad thunder, it was making my windows rattle in the house, and the rain has started. It is just like a Scottish BBQ!

Laura arrived and then the heavens opened. It is serious rain not since like that first week with the flooding. There were huge claps of thunders and lightening straight over head. The noise when you walked out the back was tremendous. I am really glad Laura is here for company. The drains at the back of the house were working on overtime, and possibly fortunately, the covered area was leaking in the centre relieving the strain of water on it. All the gutters were over flowing and being useless. My wireless door bell was ringing of its own accord when the lightening was striking! Very spooky. The photo I have of all the rain really does not cut it, but we decided to wait to put the BBQ on! I eventually gave Andy a call to find out where he was and he had come along the freeway and was currently not too far away but obviously struggling to see the road and keep his exhaust from getting submerged (oh it sounds familiar). Anyway eventually he managed to make it and was in need of a beer.

The stormed passed and blue skies reappeared so I could get the BBQ underway. We had so much food it was great :) Andy bought corn on the cob which we threw on and then we had my steaks and I made up veggie skewers and shrimp skewers so we could have surf and turf!! The BBQ was well stocked that is for sure. Laura brought some of her own home grown tomatoes as pictured! They were lovely I think I might have to try some in a pot.

It was late by the time we ate but I managed to use the dining room table for the first time which was lovely. We all finished complaining of being far too full . That is good because at least my guests are well fed! For desert Andy had bought a whole water melon. This thing was American sized! There is still most of a watermelon left!

The temperature had cooled dramatically after the rain, actually it currently says 24 degC. But I said who is for a swim? So we all jumped in and the water, although cooler since the rain, was decidedly warmer than the outside air temperature. You can see the pool steaming in the picture. We must have spent an hour at least in there before becoming too cold but it is just great having the pool there.

It is now in the hour of one again but I have agreed to go cycling at 8am so I must get up! Laura is on a sleep over so I will leave her when I go off in the morning.

Other things that happened today before I go. I nearly forgot to tell you I served Pimms at my party. I went to Specs and walked out with it in a brown bag!!! Specs is a liquor store and it is amazing the choice of spirits and wine is dizzy making! I will be back (not to mention it is only around the corner from the house).

I also signed up for two months with a personal trainer at the gym!! I am quite scared but will have to tell you all about when I get my first session Monday evening. It is something I have wanted to try to know what I should be doing to improve my fitness so watch this space!

Good night all xxx

It's late - now updated :)

After work I went to the gym and then picked up Andy from his apartment. We headed to Rice Village to check out the pubs there. Laura and Danny keep talking about the Gingerman so it was an obvious place to start. The pub was very British looking and they had an amazing selection of beers, there was actually a menu! The beers were from all over the world including some local brews from Texas. Both my half pints were ales from Texas and they were very nice. One of the bits I liked in the Gingerman was the loos - there was 'Ginger' and 'Man'!!!!!

We got something to eat down there although I wont go back to were we went as I would describe it as Beefeater type of place. Which was diappointing as there is so much choice in Rice Village.

Latter on I had said we would meet up with Cecelia and her man to see a band playing in a pub downtown - The Big op Lounge. The band is from Texas called, dUNETX. It was described as sexy rock/pop. The venue was pretty cool, a small place that was not full.. The band were good when they started off they were a bit loud and you couldnt hear the snger, but once they sorted out the amplifier they were quite good. The had some real groupies following them. There was one guy in his camoflage shorts, white socks and trainers doing guitar strumming in front of the band all night. We were there until midnight. I was pleased to see my car was still there. Because when we arrived I parked on a street around the corner from the bar. It had plenty of others cars there when we arrived but it was next to some not so smart buildings and waste land. There was a guy walking along the street with a torch and a badge around his neck. He said we could park closer to the main street but I said is it going to cost me and he said he watches the cars every Friday and Saturday night because he lives nearby and you can give him what you feel like! Well the dilema do you pay him before you leave the car in hope of him looking after it or do you pay him after when you know the car is still there! Anyway, I gave $5 and said it better be there on my return! Well it was, but he wasnt, and neither were most of the cars!

Steak Anyone?

This week has gone so fast I cant believe it is Friday tomorrow.

Tonight I whizzed straight off to the gym after work and I managed to do a couple of the things I have been meaning to do including changing my address at the gym, which was still my apartment address! I only realised last night when I received a letter asking me to become a member! I also changed the credit card I was paying the monthly bill with as I need to get up that credit rating of mine. I am trying to spend lots on my US credit card. However, at the moment I have slight issue because I have a tiny credit limit (I think it is almost less that when I got my first card at the age of 18!) Anyway, I am trying to increase and then I can spend without the embarrassment of it being refused (as has happened for the past few purchases!).

I got my hair cut at the gym as well. I managed a quick swim before my appointment. The girl was really good and although it is a little shorter than I intended I think it is a good cut and not so expensive. More than I would pay in Aberdeen, or rather Montrose.

I had to do some food shopping on the way home and I decided to stock up the freezer with some meat for the BBQ. I bought an extra value pack of steak, sirloin. I could see three pieces and it looked good. Well, just look how many steaks I have for the freezer now! The three steaks were enormous and so I cut each of them into three really large steaks - so I now have nine for just $15!!!! It is just incredible.

Tasty Eggs

I think I managed to kill the cockroach that I found in my box last night. It was waiting outside the bathroom for me this morning so I snuck out the other door (bathroom has two doors just like our bathroom back home) and I Raid'd it :) OK, I don't really know it was the same one, but it was brown and about the same size!

Tonight, I went and posted lots of letters and parcels, so on the way should be Emma gum and Thomas' crystal lite. I then decided to go and get my free range eggs, and I could resist a quick trip to the shoe shop :)

I was very good I didn't buy any shoes and I managed to check out some sandals for Stu. However, I did succumb to my other favourite item - handbags. I really need a larger one, with a zip and it is green!

Back to the eggs - I had a poached egg tonight and it tasted of egg - yippee. I cant believe I am going to have to go to a special shop for eggs but it is worth it! The shop, Sandy's Market, also contains lots of herbal remedies you could ever want. Most of which I have never heard of. There was Himalayan pink salt for example?! Not sure what its benefit is.

Paperwork night

What a cracking nights sleep I had last night, although I still could have carried on sleeping when the alarm went off at 0530!

I finally established what the funny noise is that I hear about 10pm once or twice a week. It is a flat bed truck with some big canisters on the back and it sprays mosquito killer. I knew or at least I had been told that our area is sprayed but I had never worked out how. The truck actually sounds like a small aeroplane as it comes past. That also explains why most of the mosquito's have gone.

Tonight I have been busy trying to sort out some of my paperwork, always something I put off until the pile builds so large that I have no option but to deal with it! Stuart knows this one only so well. I also managed a swim this evening so feeling a bit better, however I was swimming in the outside pool only to be then told it was closed. I missed the large sign saying 'pool closed'! I have a feeling it had just had new chemicals put in so I hope I haven't given myself a rash or very dry skin!

Hey I had Scottish Smoked Salmon for my dinner tonight - a taste of home :) It certainly cost like it had come all that way.

I am sorry it is another dull blog but the beginning of the week is also quite boring!

I am back - there is a cockroach in my box. Serves me right for not unpacking it, but how am I going to do it now. It ran into the box when I went to open it and then it scurried around inside - yuk!!! Should I 'Raid' it!

Utterly poop'd

Laura has officially killed me. I am so tired today, I could barely get through the day and I have already had a nap this evening and it is only 1930! I think it was a combination of sun (lots of), some drinks and a late night. Not to mention my phone was squawking all night and it was not until about 3am that I finally decided to do something about it.

All that I can say is that I am off to bed early tonight and would actually go now if it was not so light outside.

Nothing terribly exciting happened today, and it blatantly it hasn't tonight! However, I had an appointment at the doctors to register myself and have my general yearly check - just because you can. I had to wait over half an hour before I was seen and then it was a case of the nurse does some of your measurements, then you wait until the doctor eventually comes in. Basically, I am all fine, which is no surprise to me. I decided to update my tetanus jab since I certainly cant remember the last time I had it. Here they appear to like to give you immunisation and keep you up to date. Anyhow, my first appointment is done and so now I know where to go if I really have something wrong. Next, I have to find a dentist and an optician!

Cycle, swim, swim, swim!

This morning, I managed to get out of my bed and go for a cycle. I have to say the weather could not have been better, it was almost cool! High 80's, 88% humidity and a cool breeze, good while cycling. I cycled back on myself to meet up with Andy, and then we headed west on the Bayou towards George Bush Park. It is a very simple ride with no inclines in that direction. I was slightly worried I might hold Andy up, however, when I saw his bike with fat mountain bike tyres, I knew I would be alright! (He had far more friction on the paths than I did!).

I don't think we found the proper path in George Bush park but it was an adventure, and I have a photo of us on top of the dam around the nature reserve. Since we were out of trees by this point, it was starting to get hot! In all, we cycled for about 1.5 hours, taking it easy. My odometre said we covered 14 miles, but I think I might have to verify that. All I know is, when I got back to the house, all I wanted to do was jump in the pool and that is what I did!

Later on in the afternoon I had guest. Cecelia and the doggies, Lucy and Rita came for a swim and then Laura arrived later in the afternoon. The dogs were not as keen on the water as I first thought they might be. Rita is a cocker puppy who has grown enormously fast since I last saw her but was her first experience at swimming. She knew all the right stokes, dogie paddle, but was still not sure. As for Lucy, a very fluffy dog, I thought she was going to jump in from the side of the pool, however didn't, but when she got in also wanted out very quickly. Lucy was funny though as because she is really fluffy when she got wet she looked like totally different dog!

When it got too hot, the dogs went inside, but the girls remained in the pool. I feel like a prune now, as I think I have been in the water since before two finally making it out at about 10pm! Laura and I have BBQ burger ( sorry Danny!) for our dinner and it was great. I cant believe how good our new kitchen accessory has been already.

Well, it is well past my Sunday night bed time so I must retire x.

Grilling Girl

I went and bought our wedding present from Angus and Frances - a BBQ or rather 'grill' as they are known here. It is amazingly smart and cooks pretty good too on my first attempt :)

It is nothing but the best - Weber, and although it is charcoal it has a propane gas starter that means it is quick to light the charcoal and then you have to wait for the charcoal to heat up, anything between 20-30 minutes. Then you cook:) While waiting for it to get up for temperature I went for a swim - just the life.

I got the impression that when I bought it in Home Depot (essentially B&Q) they don't normally sell them. I got lots of oohs and ahhs! I had two men that kindly pushed it around the shop as I did the rest of my shopping! I then to pay and tried to use my UK credit card! well I was at the till for about 20 minutes as it need authorised. I ended up speaking to a guy in the UK who said my card hard fraud watch on it! I think it is because I have been using in the States and the UK recently. Need to sort that before I try and buy anything else with it.

Anyhow I got the BBQ and asked the neighbour if he would help me get it out of the car. He lifted it out by himself kindly. So I set it up and read the handbook, then went out for meat.
I had a great burger and I cant wait to cook another meal on it:) What do you think of a girl in charge of BBQ - wrong isn't it.

I never quite managed my cycle this morning as I could not get myself out of bed early enough so I will have to try tomorrow morning - I need to do some exercise if not least to work off my huge burger.

Another Aberdonian

Here I am at 0030 doing my blog. It is dedication for you! I am just back after an evening with Laura and another fellow Brit from Aberdeen, Andy Smalley. Andy is out here on a sort of rotation basis and it is good to finally catch up.

Straight after work there was a do in the pub, Fox and Hound, for one guy leaving and another one coming. It was my first office, as such, do. It was good but I only stayed for a couple of hours before my next social engagement! I then met Laura and Andy in the Sherlock Pub - are you getting the idea that everything is very British sounding (actually English pub sounding!). When you get inside none of them look like a British pub.

Once again we were ID'd at the door and because my only UK driving licence is getting its address changed and my Texas licence card hasn't arrived yet I am left with my passport! Laura and I decided to sit outside, as inside the air con was in the low 70's and far too cold to be comfortable. However, once Andy arrived we soon decided to move indoor, however by that point I was feeling decidedly hot! Today was meant to have a heat index of 110F!

For dinner we went to a great Japanese place (I haven't had my sushi fix for at least 3 weeks!). Hard to believe but I ate far too much and I am now feeling decidedly full. It was good although I feel guilty as some of my dish came with tuna and Stuart has told me no more tuna as it going extinct. Bad girl.

It is the weekend tomorrow and assuming I feeling like it (after all my raw fish :)) then I am going on anther bike ride, this time in the opposite direction to last weekend.

14,000 Gallons!

I am still in shock! I managed to use 14,000 gallons of water in my first month in the house. I am living here by myself - oh help, sorry planet! One of my colleagues at work was also commenting about the obscene amount of water he used in his first water bill, but now he is used to it. I know what are the real culprits - the pool and the sprinkler system. The grass is going to have to toughen up and I will have to be quicker in the shower, but there is not a lot I can do about evaporation. All this on the day of the G8 and climate change.

As for the electricity I don't really know if it is obscene or not yet. I will have to ask everyone else how many units they use a month. The bill certainly seems more expensive than back home but that is no surprise with the air conditioning running all day, even though I put up the temperature in the morning.

I ended up at work until late tonight, not actually working talking (no surprise there!), so by the time I left it was nearly 6:30pm. I went straight to the swimming pool, however I didn't get home until 9pm after going shopping, hence the rubbish photo. I have completed my food and water preparation for any hurricanes coming this way. I still have a couple of things to get, which I will complete this week. The other key thing to do is know an evacuation route and where to go, which I also haven't done.

I have just looked at the weather and it is currently 30 degC at 1030pm!!!

Work, Nails & Quizzes

Since my especially dull evening yesterday, I was determined not to repeat it. Fortunately, Laura emailed shortly after lunch with a great suggestion of getting the nails done (again!), straight from work. This sounded much better than the gym, but I said to myself I could go after, because Laura and her friends had a dancing class at 7pm. I asked Danny if he would like to come along, and after quite a bit of persuasion and promising other men go as well he relented and said it would be an experience! I also aid I would take Stuart, if only the once, also for the experience Although Stu would only manage the manicure, because he would not let them touch his very tickley feet :) Laura made the biggest yelp when they were using the grater on a really tickley part of her foot, mind you she then asked the lady to do it harder - she says that makes it less tickley - saddist! I on the other hand just want it to be over asap while I crawl up the back of the chair. All five of us were done at the same time but only Danny was opposite so I only have a picture of him! - Sorry Danny :)

In the end, the girls missed the start of their dance class, so asked if Danny and myself would like to come and join their quiz team at the Richmond Arms. I decided to go along, even though I know how bad I am at quizzes, while poor Danny went off to do Texas Driving homework!

The Richmond Arms, as it sounds, is a British pub and runs a weekly quiz. Apparently it opened it doors in 1979 (I know that because that was the bonus question and we fond the answer on the menu!). It is $2 per person to enter and the winning team gets to split the winnings, which can be in the order of $80 (I am told!). It looks sort of like a British pub, only the air con really gives it away that you are not at home. There are 6 rounds of 8 questions on any selection of themes that vary from week to week. The one question that I was really annoyed about getting wrong was a question about which town in the UK hung a monkey during the Napoleonic Wars . In Aberdeen we have the 'Noose & Monkey' pub and I remember one of the guys, I think Jonathan, saying it was his town that hung the monkey. Unfortunately, my vague recollection of the conversation and where he lived made me think it was Hull, but it is in fact Hartlepool! Darn! Oh well they both begin with 'H'.

The team came a staggering 4th (with no help from me!) but there were at least 10 teams entered. The number of questions was pretty poor however as Laura pointed out even the winning team only got 4 more than us so nobody obviously cheated using mobile phones etc for answers (which again I am told is quite common!).

I am now in bed and writing this, but as I said when I left the pub, I need to go before I turn into a pumpkin! Good night x

My second wedding cake

I could have been in Aberdeen this morning - the sky was grey and it was raining, only the temperature was a little warmer! When I left the house I thought I had got the time wrong because it was so dark outside, however a few minutes down the road the heavens opened! The great thing is with the rain come cooler temperatures so we are now in the high eighties - decidedly chilli!!!

It was very sweet at work they had organised me a cake to celebrate our marriage. Andy Stewart said a couple of kind words and made me go the same colour as my shirt in the lunch room. Since I am not worried of making a fool of myself I have included the photo of me pulling the most interesting face :)

I am having another slow night and actually came straight home this evening and have not done much. I guess I need to get back into the swing of things again. My dinner was pants I cant get over how disappointing the eggs are. I love scrambled eggs but they taste of nothing and I don't seem to learn as I keep having it and being disappointed. Moan, moan, moan! Please get here soon Stuart, I need some cooking inspiration!

Oh just so I don't forget, I managed to find a supply of Big League Ground Ball Grape Gum around the corner from my house - thank god! I thought Emma would stop talking to me if I didn't replenish her supply soon:) Mind you, I did get a comment from another customer in the shop related to how many packets I was buying! It will be posted soon.