Knitten Kittens

Poetry by Leisl

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:18:00 GMT

So I mentioned to you earlier that Leisl was an amazing poet and she has given you (and me) the opportunity to read a bit of her work. I think you will agree with me that she has talent that needs to be shared!

Sunshine and Blue Leaves on Trees

Trapped inside myself. Dying the death of self worth, aching to be free, free of myself! I am unsafe, peculiar, worthless and possessed by my secret. The shame, the blame, the flame in my secret soul is burning holes through my skin! And what is worse, is it must be my fault, my fault for letting it happen to me! What is wrong with me? I take it because it must be true, all of those terrible things that you say about me. I take it now because I am the secret with you!

I’m weak and unwilling, but I’d rather make you happy and share in your lie because that is what you’ve seduced me and reduced me to do! Who will ever believe me after all you’ve achieved? They’ll think I’m the liar, the cheat, the thief of your success, the stealer of your manliness! They’ll think I’m crazy or that I deserved it because I was “too lazy” to make the bed for you!

Who I am?
Who I am?
Who I am?

I am the unmovable Keeper of secrets and lies.
I am the weaker without any words.
I am the actress who wins The Academy Award.
I am the one you kill with your selection of swords.
The truth is, I am the dead, living and forgiving your abusive cries.
I am all you have and not what you deserve.
I am sick and unhealthy in mind and in spirit and when you walk in the door I FEAR IT!
And inside my head, my heart, my soul the rigorous ranting and raving takes hold, explores and controls and finally explodes!
I really am just like you?

Who I am without you?
Who I am without you?
Who I am without you?

Without you, I am Sunshine and Blue Leaves on the Trees.
I am cool vibrant mist in the breeze.
I am Night and Day all swirled
Into One, making Peace with the
Moon and the Sun.
Without you, I am Laughing and Lulling myself into Sweet Sleep.
I am able bodied, intelligent and sweet.
Without you, I am something like Nothing You’ve Seen!
Without you I can follow my dreams!

*Leisl K. (Weaver) Miller
01-18-93

Family Vacations

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:22:00 GMT

Today's guest blogger is Kim from Thoughts by Kim. Kim is a fellow C&P gal, who is also currently dealing with infertility issues. She is amazing and when I asked for volunteers to blog, she was more than willing to share a post with us!

So in honor of summer, here you go...

Family Vacation

I know – the words bring up images of all sorts of things… all staring Chevy Chase, I’m sure.

For me… the concept of a family vacation means a “clipboard of fun” (aka meticulously planned activities for every second!), chaos, and a load of laughs… let me just give you some scenarios via a bulleted list.

Driving to Monticello while on a trip to Washington, D.C. and after an hour of driving realizing that our Dad has gotten us lost in a completely different STATE!

Going to the San Diego Zoo with my Dad and one older sister… and my Dad notoriously had a “trip hat” that he wore everywhere while on a said vacation… this time – very poetically – a bird pooped right on the bill of that hat! HA!

Another trip to the Wild Animal Kingdom or something in that area – a different vacation… going on the safari tram… and someone having to stop the train because their pacemaker went off.

Almost getting kicked out of a bed & breakfast because we woke the whole place up while playing competitive board games… we were REALLY in to it and probably were yelling at each other.

Getting food poisoning on my first trip with John’s family… landing myself in the hospital… only AFTER they went to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast – I planted myself on the bathroom floor of the restaurant for that entire meal. Then on the way home from the hospital… doing the same thing on the floor of Luby’s while they ate dinner. (In their defense – I was in the hospital for 8 hours!)

A trip with John’s family to a football game across the state… we dropped our things off at the hotel and went on to the game…. Not realizing that the hotel either serviced the rooms with all heat or all air conditioning… that day it was heat, and I cranked our thermostat up full blast… it never did cool down in there that night. ARG!

Same trip – ordering (accidentally) something that wasn’t on the menu of Denny’s and NEVER getting my meal.

My sister’s obsession with having a trip food item… something that we sample every restaurant we can – for instance – key lime pie in Washington, D.C. or fudge in Mackinac Island, MI or guacamole in Santa Fe, NM

Being on one trip while still engaged with John – and since we couldn’t stay in the same room… we were the only ones that didn’t get a jacuzzi tub in our room on one leg of the trip…

Getting a major medical procedure the same day as flying across the country… said medical procedure was the awake equivalent to a colonoscopy! Yikes!

John remembered that many years later, and made it up to me on a different trip – we got our own jacuzzi tub… but were so tired because it was the last night of the trip – we didn’t even use it, and we ordered pizza to be delivered to our room instead of going out to dinner.

John and I deciding that we would drive to meet up with the family for a trip… and naturally OUR trip started the day after Hurricane Katrina… so we drove right through the devastated areas… and had to wait 3 hours in line for gas at a filling station.

That same road trip – my doctors had changed my medications for my blood pressure right before we left… I’d never been able to sleep on a car trip before in my life – so we were planning all sorts of audio books and things to listen to… but I slept the ENTIRE trip from Houston to Williamsburg, VA AND back.

Another trip plagued with food poisoning… John and I got food poisoning on Christmas Day one year, and actually had to travel on a plane with it. I used very barf bag within a couple of rows of our seats. I had to endure a drunk guy making fun of me too – it was literally the worst ride ever!

I think that this list gives you plenty to laugh at, groan about, and certainly evidence that a trip with me is never anything short of an adventure!

Say a Little Prayer

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:12:00 GMT

Your guest blogger for today is my long time friend, Leisl. I met Leisl like OMG, 14 or 15 years ago. When I got married, I eventually and unfortunately lost touch with some folks, but Leisl and I managed to catch up with each other again.

She is a fabulous writer and a brilliant poet in my opinion (you'll get a taste of her poetry a little later in the week). So enjoy her as much as I do!

Say A Little Prayer
By Leisl K. Miller

This evening I was blessed with the company of my Pastor and 5 of the Elders from my church. They came to my home at my request. I asked them to come and pray with me, and for me. I felt that I really needed their enlightened wisdom and kind prayers to help me with the anxiety I have been having about my current health condition. It was really nice to have them here. We chatted for about 15 minutes about various people in the church who needed to be reached out to. There is always someone who needs help. I just hope that I can be as helpful to others as others are to me. This is my wish.

Then I was asked to reiterate, to all who attended, what my health issue is. They all listened intently with hope in their eyes. It was good to feel “at home” with these people. They are God loving people and with every gesture and sigh you can see it. Their love for Christ is incredibly moving too. They spoke of Him as if he is their best friend; and He is! They live by Christ’s example and it shows. The Pastor then read various passages from the Bible that spoke about healing of the sick and anointing the sick. It was very helpful to my understanding of the gift of healing that only God can give you.

Next I knelt down on the ground, as did everyone. The Pastor and the Elders and my husband surrounded me and put their hands on my shoulders, neck and arms. Then each one of them said a prayer for my healing and my peace. They included prayers for my family as well. Tears were running down my face as I listened to their inspired words. My Pastor was the last person to pray for me. As he was praying for me he anointed me with oil on my forehead. I could feel the healing energy swirl and spin around me and through me and it was the most wonderfully peaceful thing I think I have ever felt. There really is power in prayer.

So when someone says, “Say a little prayer for me”, do it. There really isn’t a prayer too small or too big that God can’t handle. God is a giver. When we pray he gives us his full attention. I pray that your prayers will be answered in a favorable manner. God Bless each and every one of you.

Wedding Thoughts

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Today's guest blogger is Mike, who I met working for Corporate America back in the very late eighties. We fell out of touch for many years and then reconnected on Facebook a few months ago. When I asked for help with my blog for the mission trip, I am so grateful he was one of my first volunteers.

So, give him some love and encouragement as he is now thinking of starting his own blog. From Mike:

Wedding Thoughts

Before I start the discourse related to the official title I want to just say thanks. Kim, you may have started something here. I have always enjoyed writing but always have found excuses to not write. I tend to keep it as that thing out there I want to do but do not do. Maybe it is that last item on the bucket list. I do know that the hardest thing about writing this blog was to settle on one topic, in other words I do have a lot to say. I just may have to start blogging. Now I shall go on with the wedding thoughts.

I have been pretty busy for a few weeks or I should day weekends. I have performed three weddings in a row this June. For those who do not know me, I am an ordained minister. I do not work as a paid minister, I did at one time but for many reasons I retired. I have maintained my license and ordination and have performed many weddings over the years. Why do weddings? It takes lots of precious time and it is not really a business for me, yet. It started as a favor for a friend and quickly the word got out that I could marry people. I realized that so many people do not have a minister to perform their wedding. Some do not go to church and cannot find a minister because of that and others have a church but have been living together. Their church wants them to marry but will not marry them because they live together. That “logic” makes no sense to me. I began to realize that I could fulfill a need for so many people.

I may have a different way of thinking than most ministers but I feel comfortable with my thinking and that is what is important to me. I love weddings, Jesus loved weddings; remember he chose a wedding feast to perform his first miracle. Weddings are truly a celebration of love. I enjoy the casual outside wedding much more than the stuffy and formal church wedding but I will do either. I have the best spot in the house. I get to look the bride and the groom in the eyes and feel the emotion. I wish every person would have that opportunity. It is my feel good moment. I am addicted to the love. Even if the marriage later fails, I know that there was love in that moment.

Weddings need to be a time for love; I believe people worry too much about the ceremony and the occasion. I think the smartest move I have ever seen was when a friend of mine eloped and later threw a party for all of their family and friends. That was probably 25 years ago, they are still married. It wasn’t the ceremony that kept them together, it is the love.

I have traveled the United States from coast to coast and points between to perform weddings. Some of the places I have performed a ceremony include: a hunting camp in the mountains of Pennsylvania, a winery in Maryland, the San Francisco Zoo, the Bad Lands of South Dakota, the streets of Sturgis during bike week, the Gulf Coast of Florida, various beaches on the East Coast, numerous homes and backyards in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, and yes, even in some churches. I have been dressed in a tux for a ceremony and I have worn shorts and a t-shirt. All of that has been interesting and fun even but the item that makes any of them a wedding is the love. It is not the words I say, it is not the cost of the event, nor the location, it is the love between the bride and the groom.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, and it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:4-8

These words are included in most ceremonies, the love being spoken of here is not the love of romance, but is the love of a Christian what the Greeks called “agape”. I believe that is the love that is missing when a marriage fails. Romantic love can sustain us for only so long; if we do not have a wedding/marriage that includes “agape” there will be more of a struggle. My advice and intent in writing this is if you are not married be sure that you have the type of love mentioned in 1Corinthians on top of your romantic feelings. For those of you who are married, do not forget the “agape” yes the romance is important but do not neglect the “other love” it never fails.

Walking for a Cure

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:21:00 GMT

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I met Cindy when I worked for Corporate America many moons ago and she was my sounding board especially when The Brit and I were getting to know each other via email and telephone. Like many other friends, we have reconnected on Facebook and she offered to share a little blog post with me.

Most of you know that I have been involved with Relay for Life in the past and I hope to be involved with it next year. Last year, was my surgery, so I couldn't do it and this year we were in England for it. But as more and more people I know battle cancer, the more this cause means to me. It means a lot to Cindy as well.

This weekend, June 20th, Hampshire County West Virginia held our annual Relay for Life Walk.

One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life® is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people across the country each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much.

Between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009, Relay For Life® communities nationwide are hosting special “Show Us Your HOPE” activities that visually depict the passion Relayers have for the fight against cancer. Ideally, these activities are separate from Relay For Life® events and demonstrate how the American Cancer Society in our community celebrates survivors, remembers loved ones lost and fights back against cancer through Relay For Life®.

Learn more about Show Us Your HOPE or about Relay For Life® and how together we can Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back against cancer!

Tomorrow I will walk in memory of my Father , Coach Honey Crites, my mother, Ruth E. Crites and for all of my dear friends who have battled cancer.

I hope that each year, more and more of you will become involved with this cause which is so important. My friend, Lisa, has been a team leader for Relay for the last three years and I now also know that a girl I went to high school is also involved with one locally, so my hope is to be very involved next year in one way or another.

On the Road Again

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:51:00 GMT

So tomorrow afternoon, I am off for my second adventure of the summer: Mission trip 2009.

This will be my third year as a chaperone and I love these trips. I love the helping others and I love the spending time with the youth kids. The whole experience, as exhausting as it is, is uplifting at the same time. We have all always come away from it closer and wiser, more aware that there is a world outside of our corner of it were things are not nearly as good as we have it.

Of course, my oldest son is going with me but I think he will do well. He works hard, especially for people other than his parents, and it will be a learning experience for him.

I am contemplating taking a notebook with me to journal each night and then when I get home, sharing my thoughts and experiences here on the blog. I may give it a shot, but the days are long and the nights are short, so we'll see how it goes!

Okay, that is it for me till Friday. Give my guest bloggers some love in the way of comments as you may be encouraging another would be blogger! Hope you all have a great week and for those of you on Facebook, I should be able to post some updates via my mobile phone.

Peace out!

Getting Back On Board

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:24:00 GMT

So there has been a lot of chatter around the C&P girl blogs about getting their eating back in order. At least I am not the only one who has struggled the last few weeks. Now granted, I was on vacation and granted, the things I ate compared to how I would have eaten as a pre-op are not too terrible in comparison. I ate things like fish and chips, and some crisps and some chocolate and OMG the bread in England is wonderful. But now I am working on putting myself back together again and getting back on target.

It's kind of interesting that before my surgery I would also beat myself up when my eating was especially bad and though my "bad" eating now is not nearly as bad as then, the beating up has not changed. It makes me crazy to know I am not doing what I should be doing. In fact, it is worse than crazy. It scares the bejezez out of me.

I looked at my Before and After pics this morning and my resolve was heightened once more. Never again am I going to be THAT girl physically. It's not an option. I am happy here though not yet satisfied. There is still work to be done and now I have to backtrack a bit to get where I was before England. The difference now is that falling off the wagon does not mean giving up; it simply means getting it right again. Pulling myself up and shaking off the dust and plowing onward. There is no giving up anymore.

Travel, stress, unplanned circumstances, all of these things can throw healthy habits out the window, but now for me, that only happens for a moment in time. A moment can last a few days or a few weeks, but in time, still only a moment. It cannot be any different. I've come too far to turn back. 109 pounds lost is nothing to sneeze at and it has done amazing things for my health and overall happiness and abilities.

So I'm back on board the health train and hope to soon be back on board the workout train too. Time is still not on my side with that, plus I have kids for the summer, which makes things complicated, but I'll work it out as soon as the mission trip is over.

There are no other options.

I Promise....

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:29:00 GMT

....I will get back to my England stories soon, but life has yet to slow down even a little.

I am terribly jet lagged. I went to bed last night at 10:30, which though it isn't late, with my body being on UK time, that made it 2:30AM for me. I feel asleep immediately and slept soundly until 2:30AM, which is 7:30AM UK time which is close to the time I woke up many mornings while we were on vacation. I managed to doze back off until 5:00 this morning, and at 5:30 gave up trying to sleep and showered, dressed and went grocery shopping before work. The upside is that Walmart is so not busy at 6:30!

So then I worked, had hair and nails done, came home to finish the unpacking and putting away and sorted out some clothing for the church yard sale. Then had dinner and am ready for a coma.

Really, really sad how we have lost three celebrities in two days. Ed Mcmahon yesterday and Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson today. What really freaks me out a little and I might be wrong, but I am sure when we were in England and The Brit's friend, Lee came over, Lee told us how he had tickets to one of Michael's UK concerts, but that he would be surprised if Michael lived that long.

Creepy.

In other news, starting Sunday, when I leave on the mission trip, you will have some guest bloggers. Show them some love as some have never blogged before but were more than willing offer their services when I asked for volunteers.

I am still trying to catch up on my blog reading, but again, jet lag and preparing to depart again in a few days has been posing problems. I can barely place two thoughts together, so bear with me. I'm hoping to be feeling more like myself tomorrow!

Home

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:33:00 GMT

Short and sweet tonight.

We are home.

It's 9:33pm

My body time is 2:33AM, so I'm really tired.

Last night was awesome.

Today was really long.

Better blogging tomorrow after sleep.

G'night.

Packing it in

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:37:00 GMT

So the bags are nearly packed, the last of the shopping is completed and now we are just trying to sort out tonight. We have to be up butt early in the morning in order to leave for Heathrow by 6:00. The kids are currently with Adrian, which was a Godsend as it gave us the ability to pack and do laundry today without them being bored and underfoot. The problem now is that we have to work out getting the kids back from Adrian's but not miss out on saying goodbye to anyone else. It could be tricky.

So that is it for me until I am back in the USA. We fly out at 11:00AM UK time and arrive home at 3:00pm US time, so it will be a long day.

But the visit here was wonderful. Much fun and many awe-inspiring moments. Favorite things had to be London and The New Forest. Special thanks and much love to all who made this visit so special.

See you on the other side of the pond.

Monday Funny

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:42:00 GMT

Today, they made me go look at cars at Beaulieu. Now I can respect that there are women out there who are enthralled with cars throughout history. I get that. However, I am not one of them. It would be the equivalent of me taking The Brit to a yarn shop and oohing and aahing over different colors, textures and worsted weights. He would simply not get it and that is okay with me. On the other hand, I don't get the male fascination with cars; it is just one of the those male/female differences.

So I enjoyed the first part of the day to the very best of my ability. The second part though we did get to visit the abbey, the Palace House and the gardens, all of which were lovely. We then drove the kids to Stonehenge so they could see it and then onto a pub for dinner.

JJ must have been under the impression we were going some place else as this conversation happened in the car...

JJ: Are we at dolphins yet?

Me: What?

JJ: dolphins. Are we at dolphins yet?

The Brit: Dolphins? What are you talking about?

JJ: You know, dolphins! Where granddad was born!

Aaron: JJ, you mean Wales.

**
Tomorrow is our final day here and we will be doing laundry and packing and I still need to pick up one thing for someone back home. My mind is already making up lists of what I need to do when I get home, what I need to pack for the mission trip (still cannot believe I am off again on Sunday!) and the things I want to do once my life settles down again.

And you know what else I have discovered today? I am sick and tired of food and eating. I'm not even enjoying it much at the moment. I have eaten more in the last three weeks than I have eaten in a year. Okay, slight exaggeration, but it feels that way. I have had a few meals here that were fabulous and that I truly enjoyed. But when you are on the go all the time, especially with male children, you have to manage three meals a day. At home, they can fix themselves a sandwich and if I'm not hungry, I'll just grab something when I am. When you are traveling and sight seeing it is more complicated.

Thankfully, all my clothes still fit and nothing is tight or uncomfortable, but I am not going to weigh myself until three weeks after being home. Let me have the same amount of time I have had here, to get myself back in proper eating/exercising order before I see where I stand.

Bloggy friends, I will catch up with you though it may not be till after July 3rd. I will also continue with my England exploits after that date as well. Days are suddenly numbered and things are getting busy again in a different way. I have to get home and get myself over any jet lag in three days. I am also back at work the day after we fly home, then need to have myself mentally ready for five days of mission work.

I'm ready for my plate to not be full...in more ways than one.

Coming to a close

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:29:00 GMT

Well, we are down to our final days in England and I meet them with both sadness and an urge to get back home.

There are so many parts of this country I find enchanting and beautiful. The quaintness appeals to me greatly...little villages and few chain stores unlike in the USA. Sure, there are some parts that are very commercial like the mall we can walk to from the house (tho the majority of the stores we don't have in the USA). Yet across the road from this mall is a church that is older than my country.

That leaves me in awe.

It is easy to get comfortable here; the laid back country roads, lunches at little pubs that seem to round every corner, the busyness and appeal of the city. I love it all. I love the experience. And there are so many people here I genuinely like and love spending time with.

Yet it is time to go home. I look forward to seeing my cats and my friends. I look forward to kickboxing and a mission trip...holy crap, a week from today. I look forward to doing a little nesting at my home after July 3rd after being away for so long.

But I will miss people. I will miss the clean air and the ever changing weather. I will even miss riding on the opposite side of the road and roundabouts.

But my To Do list has grown since being here...writing, gardening, hanging clothes out to dry, running, learning some new things.

I look forward to all of it.

And one day I will look forward to a return trip to my favorite country.

Laughing Til I Cried

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:03:00 GMT

Don't worry, I will still cover London Day 2, but right now I am too tired to download and resize photos. We spent the night in London last night at Ade's place. For Susan, Ade is an old friend of The Brit's. Adrian is a few years older than I am (two and a bit) but is one of the most genuine people I know. Ade has been with a long time partner, Chris and I think it is great to expose my kids to positive role models like Ade and Chris because we all know our children are going to encounter homosexuals in their lifetimes. I would rather my kids have some experience with some folks a bit different from them but no less normal, no less kind and no less genuine. It's important to me.

Anyway,
The Brit and I went to see Avenue Q and then took the tube and train back to Putney, at like 11:00pm.
We were then instructed to meet up with Ade at Ole for wine and we left Ole at like 1:30 to hit another pub for more wine before walking home. Let me say that drinking is not a regular pastime of mine but with Ade I have a wine buddy and we have great fun together. Last night, we laughed harder than we have in a long time and it was wonderful.

I came to the realization that if I am in the UK and feel homesick, all I need do is to spend some time in London and life is perfect again. I love that city beyond measure. It makes me feel alive like no other city can, even New York. London is alive and full of life and people and fashion and history, It gets into my veins and my heart is filled with great sadness at the thought of not seeing it and experiencing it again for awhile.

Okay, must sleep now. My fun last night did not end till nearly three in the morning and this old body is no longer used to that! More later though my time in the UK is rapidly coming to a close. I believe I shall miss it greatly.

Ignoring My Own Blog....

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:15:00 GMT

I'm ignoring my own blog to blog for Kim again!! It's a shame Kevin Spacey isn't in London at this time..because she would have to be chasing him down for me - lol!!

Speaking of Kevin Spacey, he has a new movie coming out (several actually, but this one looks very good):

And that's my post. Been moving into a new office the past few days - extremely tired.

Laura

On the road again

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:58:48 GMT

Coming back from dropping the kids in london for the night. I have
felt more or less like crap all day as I woke up with not only a head
cold but with auntie flo as well. Just very tired and out of it
today. Plan for tomorrow as the kids will be with ade is to go into
london and do dinner and a show. Hopefully laura will blog for me
tomorrow!

--
Sent from my mobile device

"If you have a flat tire, are you going to get out of your vehicle and
slice the other three tires, or are you going to get out change the
flat, get back in your car and keep moving?" Jillian Michaels

Come blog with me at http://knitten-kittens.com

London Day 1, Part 2

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:14:00 GMT

Okay, where were we?

Right...London. Finished up seeing Buck House and then started walking in the direction of Westminster Abbey in order to meet up with Ade's partner, Chris. We didn't go inside the Abbey because they wanted 30-something pounds for four of us to go inside and I can't bring myself to pay to go into any kind of house of God. Something about it bothers me, but anyway, here is a picture from the outside:

We did go into a smaller church just down from the Abbey, St. Thomas, but no photos are permitted inside the church.

We then walked to the Thames to catch a boat tour to Greenwich to see the Meridian Line. Took several photos along the way, but you will probably recognize the follows structures:

At Greenwich, we had quite an uphill climb to reach the Meridian Line. Once at the top, you can see from whence we came:

Thankfully, this bloke was part of the way up the hill to break the monotony:

Then when we reached the top, we waited in line for the prize:

By the time we got back down the hill and caught a tube back to Putney, it was way past dinnertime, so we hit an Italian place for awesome pizza and plenty of red wine for Ade and myself, thus my lack of blogging that night.

I will try to hit London Day 2 tomorrow, but we have a long few days coming up that involve some travel, so I'm not sure of what kind of time I'll have to blog. I'll do my best but it is very up in the air!

London Day 1, Part 1

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:31:00 GMT

First off, thank you to Laura for her impromptu blogging for me last night as we were on the way home from London and I was already exhausted.

We drove to London Sunday morning and began our tour going through Richmond Park, which is this huge park in the middle of London. Scads of bicyclists, walkers, joggers horseback riders and cars tour through the park on a daily basis. The park is also shared with many herds of deer.

From the park we headed to Adrian's place. Ade, the party animal he is on weekends had been out the night before, so he was racing around getting ready to be our tour guide. We purchased day travel tickets which enabled us to work our way through London on trains, tubes and buses.

Our next stop was Harrods. I had advised the kids before we ever got there that they would not be purchasing anything in this store...because they don't have eight figure incomes. I looked at a purse that was over 1000 pounds and a bottle of wine that was 8000 pounds (about $12,000). I mean how could one pay that much for wine and then actually drink it? Harrods has everything though; clothing, toys, accessories, coffee, sushi, a bakery...you get the picture and if not, well, here's one:

Just one of the many food halls, on one of the many floors of Harrods.

We left Harrods and hailed a Black Cab, the most reliable cab drivers in London.

Anyway, Black Cab to Buckingham Palace.

I've always loved this fountain, but probably only Robyn knows why.

Stay tuned tomorrow for London Day 1, Part 2...but for now it is late here and I'm bushed!

Just Got Home!

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:04:00 GMT

I just got home from the movies and had an email from Kim asking me to blog. I'm entirely unprepared for this so I'll movie review.

Went and saw "The Taking Of Pelham 123" with John Travolta and Denzel Washington. Very Good Movie!! John Travolta plays bad very well - and he is still one handsome dude.

Plenty of action in this movie, some things are a little predictable or maybe it's because I see so many movies, I tend to pick up every detail. Sometimes too much detail, as I had the whole ending rewritten...still think my ending would of been better!!

Everyone have a good night!!

Laura

Tomorrow

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:53:03 GMT

I asked laura to fill in for me tonight but in case she does not get
the message in time just wanted to say I will blog properly tomorrow.
Very late here and still on the road back from london....but let me
assure you all, it was fabulous and we are going back friday.

--
Sent from my mobile device

"If you have a flat tire, are you going to get out of your vehicle and
slice the other three tires, or are you going to get out change the
flat, get back in your car and keep moving?" Jillian Michaels

Come blog with me at http://knitten-kittens.com

Honesty

kimbreknittergirl@gmail.com (Kim) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:14:00 GMT

So where in reality I would love to say "Here are the photos of everything we did in London today..." I can't.

Because though we did lots of great and fun things in London today, I waited far too long to eat and drank far too much red wine and now am absolutely knackered and just want to go to bed.

I did do tons of walking today and feel fab because of it.

But still need to sleep.

More tomorrow, peeps.

Life is good but I am still a wee bit homesick.