Laxie through the Looking Glass

[Laxie]

So on we go to this past weekend.  We'd a lovely dinner in an Indian place on Friday night after the kitchen cabinet attack.  From there it was off to the pub for a few before heading home. 

Saturday we attempted the oven run again.  This time Bunny was open and we managed an oven.  Even managed to get it into the car and home for ourselves.  Granted, I was hoping we wouldn't.  Not because I was avoiding using it.  Just thought it would be abso comedy to discover it wouldn't fit after all his 'careful planning'.  Ah well.  He got lucky and fluked the win on this one.

We landed home with the oven and Whelly called over to help Jack carry it in.  The pair stood there discussing correct installation techniques while I headed for the sofa and ended up having a nap.  Woke to find the old out, new in and all the mess tidied.  I've been told it's a miracle.  Seems to be the way of things since I landed so I dunno what they're on about.

[Laxie]

Why do all women love garden centres?

Because it's one place we can shop where trying things on isn't part of the experience. 

Why do all women love moving things around in the kitchen every 6 months ?

I don't.  I'll clean them out a couple of times a year, but where I land things first time - is usually where they'll stay.

[Laxie]

Yesterday we had a family birthday party to go to.  Jack's sister had turned 50 and it was my first time meeting a few of the relations.  Some had already made themselves known either earlier in the week or over Skype when I was living in Ireland.  Others were facing this odd Yank with the mixed up accent for the first time.  I have to say, everyone was LOVELY!!!  One of Jack's nieces gave me a pretty bunch of flowers and a hug while saying "Welcome to the family." 

Weather was gorgeous, BBQ good enough to feed a king and excellent company.  The whole day was just perfect.  And Jack only had to translate a couple of things I said during the day.  Result!

PS  How do ye not know what 'ya poor crater' means, ffs?!

[Laxie]

Other misc. tidbits from the last couple of weeks.  We'd done the weekly food shop online and I went about helping to put it away once the order arrived.  All groceries stashed and Jack walks into the sittingroom (lounge - who knows?  we're still debating that one).  He stares at his fruit baskets confused and afraid.  Full to the brim with the newly delivered as well as the few bits left from last order.  He'd a look on his face like a politician about to break really crap news that he knows is gonna get him into deep manure with some mob or other, but trying to figure out the best way to go about it.

"The fruit."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Where's the fruit from today's delivery?  Thought I'd put it on the table."

"You did.  I removed the few bits from the basket, put the new stuff on the bottom and the old at the top."

Well, the look of absolute relief and delight on his face.  Over fruit stock rotation.  Thought it was common sense to be honest.  But then, I thought the same about weeding so what do I know?   

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I hang toilet paper the correct way, without even being taught.  Yay!  Actually it's something I've always done but never took much notice of. 

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He has this thing called squeezebox.  It's a whole music and sound system set up that requires the desktop computer and 2 remotes.  There's at least 5 remotes in the sittingroom.  Good luck figuring out which two remotes.  Then experience the joys of figuring out which buttons to press on said remotes.  Only took me a few days to work it out.  I'm a pro now.  Just don't ask me what the rest of the remotes do.  Not even attempted the telly yet.

[Laxie]

Considering he swore to family and friends he'd forever be a bachelor after 13 years of the free and single life and I swore never again too...we really have settled in surprisingly well.  I keep hearing from various corners "Can't believe it.  He's a changed man."  Nobody to verify for me yet, but I can tell ya - I've mellowed enormously since moving here.  Not going to clear all my silly quirks obviously and don't expect to clear his either.  But one thing's for sure.  We've both changed a bit.  And I'd like to think in good ways.

[Bongo]

Surely the only acceptable form of shopping one that involves ice cream? Anything else is just a borefest. Also why is it that every time I'm dragged to a garden centre that seem to be filled with items that are too boring for other shops that have nothing to do with gardens?

[Laxie]

The kids are still in Spain until this evening.  I've heard from them a couple of times since they headed off and they seem to be having a great time.  There's talks of a quick chat on Skype later tonight after they've settled in.  If it's gone a bit too late, we'll chat in the morning.  Either way, all seems to be grand for the minute.  Just hope it stays that way once they're back home.  The next couple of weeks won't be easy, but they're a good lot.  Fingers crossed.

[Laxie]

Surely the only acceptable form of shopping one that involves ice cream? Anything else is just a borefest. Also why is it that every time I'm dragged to a garden centre that seem to be filled with items that are too boring for other shops that have nothing to do with gardens?

Can't do icecream.  We're on a diet.  [ ] Going well too.  Should really consider adding icecream to the list just for the hell of it this week.

Dunno what kind of garden shopping you do, but I mostly do the kind that has something to do with gardens.

[Laxie]

Ger's landing this weekend!  He arrives Saturday and he's staying the night.  I will mostly be tearing into one of the spare bedrooms over the next few days getting it ready for his arrival.  This means it'll be pretty much in order for my kids or anyone else who wants to call for a visit too.  I love having visitors.  Motivates me to get things done with a bit more pace than I would if I'd too much time on me hands.  Can't promise the garden will be finished though.  That's going to take some doing yet. 

[Bongo]

Dunno what kind of garden shopping you do, but I mostly do the kind that has something to do with gardens.

None! A trip to a garden centre is usually preceded by "can we go to the garden centre please? I would like to buy [item unrelated to gardens]". It's followed by my looking at all sorts of boring tosh that also has nothing to do with gardens.

[Laxie]

And one last bit of news before I head for the wall paper stripper.  The ciggy's are being kicked to the curb on July 11th!!!  I've something important to deal with in Luton on the 8th and I know I'll want a smoke or ten that day, so being realistic I've gone for the Monday after.  

Nobody around here smokes.  I've gone from being one of the many, to one of the few.  In Ireland I'd have been sat on me own if I were a nonsmoker while everyone else was out the back having a laugh.  Now it's the opposite.  I'm sat on me own outside, while everyone else is having the laugh inside.  Just going to stock up on celery sticks.  Always worked in the past, but being sat alone in the pub seemed to see me going back to the smokes.  Won't be a problem from now on and I'm looking forward to it.

[Laxie]

Dunno what kind of garden shopping you do, but I mostly do the kind that has something to do with gardens.

None! A trip to a garden centre is usually preceded by "can we go to the garden centre please? I would like to buy [item unrelated to gardens]". It's followed by my looking at all sorts of boring tosh that also has nothing to do with gardens.

Yer getting done imo.  Sucker!!!

[Bongo]

I don't know, if there were garden things as well it would just add to the misery.

[Laxie]

You should really consider the cake shop.  They have them in most garden centres.  You eat rubbish while they buy non-garden stuff.  Win.

[Kev B]

Loving the write up Dawn. Looks to me like you arrived in the nick of time. He has been a slacker around the garden hasn't he. Good to see you're slapping him into shape though.