Application Submitted

Nearly 3 weeks after our arrival in the US, my lawyer finished his end of the work (finally) and I had my biometrics appontment done and I went to the UPS store to post it all to the British Consulate in NY, now all I have to do is wait... fingers crossed it will be nearer the 2 week end of the scale as opposed to the 24 week time frame.

American suburbanite is in America again

After a long and cramped flight, my husband and I are in America staying with my family. My husband is only staying for 1 week, I must wait 2 to 24 weeks to determine when I get to return. Fingers crossed we are on the shorter end of that wait!

Recovered from the Royal Wedding

The Royal Kiss

As the Nation celebrated for their prince and his bride, the world celebrated with them, and I am one of the billions of people who participated in this process.  My husband and woke up at 0400 so that I could get to London before things got underway.  By 0515 we left the house on schedule and by 0555 I was on board my East Coast train which departed promptly at 0600 hrs.  It was with such precision that the Royal  Wedding was also scheduled.  The announcers for BBC commended Kate Middleton on her scheduling and attention to detail, but especially her ability to keep a secret. Operation Meringue as it has been referred to even gave some reporters the idea of the new Princess working for MI6 with her ability to keep things top secret!  The bride to be used a standard tool of mine, Skype, to help keep her designer under cover until the big day.  While some may be disappointed in her dress or their kiss, I think the day was beautiful and well thought out for both the Royal family, the brides family, the United Kingdom, and the world.  

My Royal Wedding Outfit

Prince and Princess watching flyby as planes flew over park & palace

I opted for comfort and am glad I did.  I ended up in a park most of the day and when they opened the park, a number of the tube stations were closed so I did a lot of walking (which is fine, no guilt about not going to the gym!)  Not pictured are the gloves I wore most of the day, I am still a wimpy Floridian on the inside!   A pop of color with my blue blouse under my cashmere sweater (nice light layers).  The scarf helped keep me warm in the early morning and late evening, and although I wore my bright yellow rain jacket (fabric not plastic!) the rain was a minimal drizzle when I first arrived in London, but we were lucky to have the sun come out in the afternoon.   I mustn't forget my all important accessory, my hat.  I do have to say I think mine was a bit better than a few of the others out there:

And even now that the  long weekend has passed and most are back to work, signs of the joyous occasion are still present.  My little village shop is still flying its flags proudly as is the Curvy Bridal Boutique in the next town, check out their window displays!  We saw these on the way to the gym on Monday and I cycled in to take photos (and go to the gym) yesterday. 

 

The American Suburbanite has Royal Wedding Fever

The village shop getting ready for their party tomorrow!

 Up until a few days ago, I did not expect, nor really want to be anywhere near London for the royal wedding.  But then it happened, I was bitten by the wedding bug.  I found out a friend from the States was going to be there, and decided, I would be too.  We bought my train ticket yesterday, I will be spending 12 hours in London tomorrow.   I have been studying the tube map and am just waiting for the name of the hotel my friends will be staying in to meet up with them. 

What things does one do when going to London to hopefully catch a glimpse of the royal wedding?  One goes shopping!  That's what every girl does before a wedding isn't it?  I bought the ever important accessory, a hat.  I am not wearing an over the top hat, just a cute little hat that will serve a purpose and be a bit more fashionable than my Steelers ball cap I generally wear when there is threat of rain.  We went to 4 different stores before I found a suitable hat a TK Maxx (same as TJ Maxx for all of my American friends out there).  It will not keep a driving rain out, but a light rain should be kept off my face, and yes, they are calling for rain tomorrow.  

It is a shame really as we have had glorious weather for the last couple of weeks, Tuesday was cool and grey, otherwise sunny and pleasant is all the weather people could say.  But look at the forecast for Friday, and check the link for updates.  I have only seen lightening twice in the UK in 2 years, and tomorrow may be the third... This really does play havoc with what a girl wears to such an occasion!

London Weather

9°C | °F	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Current: Mostly Cloudy
Wind: N at 14 km/h
Humidity: 76%	20°C | 10°C	20°C | 13°C	20°C | 11°C	19°C | 10°C

I do have an exceptionally cute pair of welly boots, just what to wear with them!  I will post pictures once I have returned to my little rural village!

Guilty Pleasures

The theme of Dancing with the Stars this week was guilty pleasures, as such, I figured it was time for me to admit that DWTS is (one) of MY guilty pleasures. It does not hurt that one of my FAVORITE players of the NFL is a competitor this year either.  His smile is infectious and has even won over the judges.  You have guessed it, Hines Ward of my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers has been a contender from day 1.   My indulgence in my guilty pleasure has come to new heights this season as I have even started voting.  I use the online voting system, and vote as many times as it lets me.  I often vote before I have even seen the dance.  Pittsburgh is hoping for a mirror ball trophy.  I think it would look great between the Lombardi trophies at Heinz Field, what do you think?
 
Here is the video of this weeks performance as Hines admits his guilty pleasure is singing in the shower. 

Signs of Spring

We have been  very fortunate over here the last couple of weeks, after a dreary, snowy, winter (coldest on record according to the man who fixes our boiler) we have had an absolutely lovely spring.  I am no longer the recluse in front of the open fire in the snug (living room), I am out and about spending as much time as possible in the sunshine.  It comes no where close to the sunshine of Florida, but it is warming and soothing all the same.  If I am outside, you know my camera is not far behind, here are a few pictures of springtime here in the England:

 Not only do we have leaves on our trees, but flowers as well.  The number of flowering trees here is staggering.  Both due to sheer number, but also due to the allergies that it seems to trigger in me.  The above picture is one of the 2 apple trees in our garden (back yard).  

 Daffodils are another sight, one of the first true signs of spring.  It has been warmer earlier than normal and many of the daffodils have already past their prime.  These along the walls of York are shaded most of the day and look gorgeous in this setting sun.

Daffodils, daffodils, and more daffodils!

 Spring wouldn't be complete without baby animals!  These goslings along the river were precious, mamma goose was not going to let anyone or anything get too close, she chased another goose into the river while we were there!

And my favorite babies of all, LAMBS!!  Here are a few from the village farm.  I walk past them often, it is fun to watch them dash across the field or leap with excitement.  They are growing so fast as well.  Again mamma sheep has a keen eye on me here!  Don't worry mamma, your lambs are safe with me!

The American Suburbanite must return to America

In short, my visa application has been refused.  We have hired an immigration attorney to handle things from here.  More news to come.