No News Is Good News

It's been a while since we've updated - appologies to all. Jim is working 12's right now, but this will end on Friday and we promise to have more pictures.

Monday I had an appointment off base for some lab work. Because I'm sooooo old there is a possible risk of Downs Syndrome and other disorders so I am having tests done to determine the level of this risk. I received the results today and I am at the very low end of the scale. Next I will have some more testing done, and then Jim and I will have to decide whether or not to have an amniocentesis. There's a lot involved, and much to think about so as soon as decisions are made, you'll all know. As far as me and Baby J, we are fine. I'm still not sick and still not feeling pregnant, other than my waistline that protrudes over my jeans. The doctor on base said that I should start to feel a little "flutter" soon. Kristin, my friend from Graham, said that it felt to her like a little spider was crawling around at first. Ok, am I to get excited about a spider-y feeling in my tummy? Sure, why not!

Yesterday I went on my first big adventure by myself. Many of you are not familiar with the roads or driving in this country so let me give you a little comparison information. In the states there are tons of road signs not only telling you where you're going, but reminding you exactly what road you're traveling on. Not so in the UK. Also, when you get on the highway, I5 for example, and are heading from Tacoma to Seattle you simply look at the road sign that reads I5 North Seattle. Not so for traveling in the UK. To travel by vehicle in the UK you don't necessarily need to know what road you're to travel, but you definately need to know where you're going. By "where you're going" I mean not only you're final destination, but every little town in between your starting point and your place of arrival. Stateside "As If In the UK" Example: From Tacoma to Seattle you would first look for the sign for Fife or Milton, next you'd look for the sign to Federal Way, then Seatac, then Renton,.......you get my point.....finally you'd see the sign for Seattle and you Might see a sign that states a road number. If you have a map, you can usually find your way around, but even a map sometimes can leave you confused because there is no directional instruction such as N, W, S, E on the map or on the road signs. Also in the states there are exit ramps enabling a person who has missed their exit to simply go to the next one, exit, and re-enter the freeway from an overpass. Not so in the UK. If you miss your exit, you wait miles until the next Town and then weave your way through it hoping to see a sign for a familiar destination or a raod sign that will have a major highway on it, (not often found), so you can return to the road that you "think" you were traveling on in the first place!. Sometimes in smaller areas there are round-abouts that will enable you to do a full circle and enter the road from the previous direction, but none such while I was traveling yesterday. Having said all this,....I headed for a little town SW of Cambridge, about 20 miles from us, and ended up about 30 miles outside of London, 70 miles S of us, before I could figure out not only which road I was on, but how to get off the road and turn around. Eventually I was able to turn around, and find my destination, only to be dissapointed because the store I was looking for was now out of business. Yes, I tried to call before, but that number was busy - wouldn't you also assume that the store was open? After leaving this town I headed for another little town more near Cambridge, and again an out of business response! After 3/4 of a tank of gas I ended up at the mall in Cambridge, spent too much money on 3 articles of maternity clothing, and headed for home. Oh yeah, I spent 10 pounds to get only 1/4 tank of gas. Approximate conversion $20.00 US. Even though the day was exauhsting I was proud of my explorations and I don't think I would have been too dissapointed even if I did end up in London. Not a bad place to be lost in come to think of it.

Our friend Mark, and Jemma's current babysitter, received his passport and we are in the works to get Jemma to Mommy and Daddy. Mark is going to fly with her, cheaper that way, and also it will give us all time to reconnect. As you all know, Mark and Jim share a brain and the strain has been quite noticable on this end. Jim's mom, Linda, and step-dad, Marc, will also be coming along for the quick trip and we're looking forward to driving them all around - I'm sure they'll be as scared as we were at first. We miss Jemma sooooo much. We've received pictures and even a letter from Jemma to assure us that she is doing well, but we will be even more excited to see her soggy wet nose! I'm sure she'll like England, the weather's not much different, and you'd think that pets ran the universe around here. The Brits are very protective of their animals, and are treated practically as your children. I'll need to remind myself of this when Jemma is taking me for a walk.

Here's your word/phrase for the day: "Crack On" - Instead of saying "I'll let you get going" the Brits say "I'll let you crack on, then" So, in fashion, until we talk again, let me crack on then.

jackie

Our Trip to Bury St. Edmunds

Downtown street in Bury

St. Edmundsbury Cathedral

A pedestrian only street downtown

Driving along a very typical road in England

Here are some pictures of our most recent trip to Bury St. Edmunds which is about 15 miles south of us, but about a 30min drive - depending. The pictures show a couple of steets along the market area and a Cathedral we visited. The picture of the Cathedral was taken from the back of the church. From this point to the first archway is 500 years old. The rest of the building was built in stages starting in the late 1700's and again in the later 1800's. I thought buildings in Seattle and Tacoma were old. The latest edition to be finished was just this July and they are still doing some remodeling towards the front and left side of the building. It's amazing!!! The stained glass windows are beautiful and all have been completed by one company over the many many years, which in and of itself is remarkable - not to mention what a reputation they've built! The pews are all very old, but the kneelers ( a cushion to kneel on) have been made all over the country. You have to see the cathedral in person to fully appreciate it's beauty and history.

Food update! -- The fish and chips we've had have not been much to write about. They are huge peices of fish, the skin is still on the bottom, and the breading is like that of Van de Kamps fish sticks. We've tried them at a couple of places now, but they have been very close to the base so we may try other places when we get away a bit more. Italian in Bury was wonderful, as well as the French. We were served large portions, after which we agreed both times that we could have and should have shared! Jim had never tried Indian food, so why not make the first tasting in England?! Awesome! Again, we should have shared! and this time the price was just as excellent. This may turn out to be a favorite. I tell ya, they've got the other cultures down pat! I was worried about the food situation. You all know how I love food, even without being pregnant, but I haven't been to dissapointed when eating off base.

We should be able to move into our rental next week. Finally, we'll have a place that will feel like a real home. We'll call to find out where our household good are and hope to be able to keep them in storage until we get our own home. This will save on some cost as well.

I had a job interview today and things seemed to go well. Afterwards, Jim and I were talking and I don't think I want to be strapped to a full time gig. I'm calling tomorrow to take my name off the list, but will still look for something part time or per-diem. This will allow Jim and I to travel more and actually enjoy the country. Still, a big thanks to those of you that wrote reccommendation letters and that were readily available for phone calls. Still be prepared to hear from someone, as I investigate other opportunities!

Tomorrow we are going to Caimbridge for sightseeing, shopping, and house hunting. More pictures will be posted soon. Ta Ta for now, it's time for Tea. (not really - I'm not really sure what time tea is served!) ,....................j&j

By the way,.....that cool feature on the new car - you know, the code for the ignition - not so cool anymore!! - Annoying!

The New Ride

Here is our new car and me driving on the wrong side of the road. I took the picture through the wind screen (thats what they called it here). The pictures were taken on base yesterday. We'll have more soon of us driving on the local roads and some of a town near by called Bury St. Edmunds. We visited there today and went inside a church that is 500 years old (pretty cool).
Thats it for now, hopefully we'll be moving into a house in the next few days.
Jim.........

Settling In

We bought a car yesterday. It's a 1996 Peugeot 406 GLX. It's not too fancy but it gets us around. It does have one cool feature; before you start it you turn the key then punch in a security code on this little key pad, then start the car. The car will not start without the proper code. I promise to post some pics soon.
We may actually be moving into a house soon as well. We looked a place today to rent month to month until we find one to buy. It is not great but is fully furnished so we don't have to unpack our household goods that were shipped. We hope to find a house to buy in the next week or so but then it may take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to close (weird process here).
Anyway; just a quick update for now. We'll have more news and pictures soon. I promise!!!
Take Care,
Jim