Our Tree House

So we have moved home again. This is my 3rd time in 3 years if you count the move to America. I count the move to America as it was my biggest move. This time we moved across town. We have down sized considerably. We are now living in a Studio. We have a seperate Kitchen and Bathroom, both spacious. Unfortunately this is the only photo that I have of our home at present. This spectacular Tree House does not have internet access so Ill have to update it when ever I can get to starbucks.

The past month has been the most stressful yet for a number of reasons, some health and mostly moving. We had alot of help from the brothers and sisters. Without which I think I would be sitting in a corner rocking back and forth mumbling to myself. It wasnt the moving persa that was tough it was getting rid of all the toot we had accumulated. As I said we have had to down size ALOT. We even had to find a home for our puppy Newton, and as usual everything happens at the very last minute. Alls well that ends well right?

We have also sold our truck and we are sharing the Yellow Automobile of love or Death which ever feels right on the day. She is a good car but she has a few tweeks that are needed. Like the doors flying open as you turn a corner and the gear stick not wanting to go into gear while you cruising along in traffic! With the truck sold and our bills down we should be able to have much more stress free life.

Pics to follow soon

2010 -2011

My memory is rubbish, but ill go through the things that come to mind about 2010. One of the earlist highlights was Madeleine visiting. It was one of the most special times ever. I reconnected with my sister and found a wonderful young women. I miss her alot. The arrival of Madeleine also brought the arrival of a little furry man into my life. Newton came along while Madeleine was here and he has become my little shadow. I will miss him. Two weeks after Madeleine left I had the priviledge of attending Pioneer school and of course it was one of the happiest times of my life. We had yet another arrival shortly after and that was the arrival of our nephew Elliott. We have fallen head over heals for the little man. The final event of 2010 was our trip to London to see friends and Tiffany flew intoo, it was exhausting and amazing. I miss my friends dearly but realized that I love where I am now. I am in love with the mountains and big sky.

We start 2011 of amidst an adventure. We are moving into a small studio, we are excited at the prospect of down sizing and changing out life. I have been laid off work. In fact I found out today. Im a little down but I think that this is a blessing. We have just had our CO Visit and it was one of the best yet. We were all refreshed, our congregation has never felt so close and united as it does now.

Jehovah answers our prayers in ways we do not expect, let me expound. Just this week I made I huge miscalculation with our expenses, One that was about to leave us $300 in the red. (I wish people wouldnt hold on to checks for months at a time) I prayed for a miracle we had no back up and I had payed all the bills. Plus we are moving and that is going to be an expence there is no room for error here. I have been struggling with ministry and Aaron had stated how he had wanted me home more. I saw a way out, a nice little neat package that would sort this out, the house that we are living was due to go to auction today and if it went back to the bank we wouldnt have to pay rent and we would have the money to see us through. Jehovah can do miracles right. I checked the website this morning and the auction was canceled. MMMM how would we cope now. I got ready and went to work.. As soon as I arrived I was called into the office and told that I was being laid off. My manager was very nice about it and had my paycheck in his hand. OOOO money!!! I opened it and it was a little over $300. I wasn't due to get this till the end of the week but I had it now and could bank it immediately. We wouldn't go into the red this week !! Im a little bummed that I have no job, but now I can focus on ministry and my husband. Funny how Jehovah works things out.


The next month will bring big changes for us. New home, new job and new life style.


Im excited to see what this year brings....

Highlights of 2010

Highlights:

• The birth of Elliot
• London
• Madeleine visit to usa.
• Starting to train for a marathon
• Pioneer school
• Newton our new puppy
• Sarah my amazing friend
• Having the best group of friend ever across two countries
• Seeing my nephew and Nices some for the first time ever in London
• Training with a personal trainer and loving it
• Learning how wonderful my husband is in our 2nd year of marriage that no matter how tough it gets he will always be there
• Seeing Tiffy
• John and Claudia visit (missionaries)

Low points:

• This system beating us all down.
• Feeling tired
• Hurting my calf and stopping training

Travels...home and abroad:

• London to see my friends -Nov
• San Francisco - May
• Iowa Hill The Cabin -June
• Leighton Buzzard to see Char and her kids - Nov

Lessons learnt:

• What real friendship means, time and distance sifts out and leaves the gems
• I love to be active and working out just gotta get off my butt and DO it
• Only I can make change

Things change:

• Homes moving house again this system is so unstable
• 
  

Plans for 2011:

• Be healthy.
• Pick up my paint brush again
• focus on personal study and pioneering
• Go see Tiffany.
• Support my cong and be a better friend
• Go to Venezuela

Goal for 2011:

• Stay a pioneer

How to be closer to your siblings

She could get under my skin like no one else could, she knew my weakness and her aim was that of a sniper. My sister was also my biggest ali as a child, we could tear each other to pieces but this privilege was scared territory we protected fiercely.

This bond between family has always fascinated me. I am the oldest of 6 girls. We came along in twos so we all had a playmate or personal bully. As we have all gotten older the age gap between oldest and youngest closes and we are all pretty close.

I have just spent 3 weeks back in London where my family is based. I hadn't seen most of my sisters in nearly 3 years now I live in the USA. 2 of my sisters had come out to visit both at separate times. Each visit was a pleasure, I was able to re connect with them on a more personal level and our relationship evolved from sisters to friends. This dynamic changes when we are all together. We all revert back to kids. My youngest sister for example who I found delightful, respectful, caring, supportive and fun turns in to a sullen, rude, disrespectful stranger when we are all together. The middle sister who also visited me last year is a strong, dependable, reasonable young woman who turns into a unreasonable, bellowing, victim.

We bring out the worst in each other when we are together, we joke about it but looking back it makes me sad. I dont want to be a person that contributes to sending my sisters back to a place they felt threatened. I want to bring out the best in them not just when we are alone but as a group, I want to us to be supportive and nurturing, for us to come away from being together and feeling good about ourselves and looking forward to our next meeting.

I found an article by Jane Isay in the "REALSIMPLE" magazine, she writes about 10 ways to be closer your siblings. Here are the highlights.

1) CHILDHOOD IS LIKE VEGAS: LET WHAT HAPPENED STAY THERE

Dont dwell on who did what to who. Make a conscious effort to forgive these childhood misdeeds and they will soon be water under the bridge.

2) MAKE A CAMEO APPEARANCE

We are all expected to be at certain family functions. That's being part of a family. But showing up unexpectedly at your sisters 5k run or a school event, now that means something.

3) STOP BEING THE FAMILY MOLE

Sibling relationships are often defined by behind the back gossiping, weather that means secretly slamming one another to a sister or listening greedily as mum degrades a sisters choice of boyfriend, job etc. As expected all this chatter erodes honesty and makes it nearly impossible to be as close knit with your sisters as you would like to be. SO CUT IT OUT. If your finding it hard to tear yourself away from mums gripe fest remember it will be about you next time.

4) MIND YOUR MANNERS

We talk to our friends with more respect and manners than we do our siblings. You dont have to be formal with siblings but a cruel or petty comment still hurts no matter who close you are to them. Comments and digs about weight, grammar usage and choice of friends are especially of limits.

5) FIGHT TYPECASTING

Growing up you have been pegged by your family with a certain role. The responsible one, the loose cannon, the brains but not looks, pretty but dumb, the baby etc. No matter how you blossom as adults the roles stick. At the next family dinner mention that your sister "the dumb one" is doing well in their job, that your brother "the loose cannon" is writing a book and settling down. By acknowledging the way your siblings have evolved from their childhood roles, you give everyone the green light to see you differently as well.

6) PLAY NICE WITH YOUR SISTER SPOUSE.

By doing this you send the message that this man, dispute his unfriendly demeanor and brashness deserves a chance, and to your sister you will prove your loyalty and acceptance. If they break up it will be a even greater sign if you dont say I was faking it the whole time

7) GET OUT OF DODGE
Back in the day family holidays meant dividing the back seat of the car with masking tape and lots of she touched me she looked at me a certain way. Now on a trip with your siblings you get to choose the destination and the travel arrangements. Do things together that allow you to bond, eat together at least twice.

8) AVOID HOT BUTTON TOPICS (RELIGION, POLITICS ETC)
It sounds like common sence but to many of us forget this and make statements and pronouncements that land on irritated ears. If you are not on the same wave length as your conservative sister or meat free brother stay clear of these topics.


A good reminder that if family really does come first and we claim to love and respect them these 8 points will be something we put into practice.

Here's happy families.

Old Friends

Below is Karen, Christine and I.. Karen's husband is the male figure behind her . Karen married a Canadian Brother a year after Aaron and I got married. We were all really close when I lived in London. Christine is now serving in the Bulgarian Cong and Karen and her husband are serving with the Russian cong.

From left to right. Jarrett is Karens husband from above. Middle is my sweetheart and on the end is Tiffys husband Jeff. This was after the opera and champagne.



Below is Jenny. Jenny and I were best friends when I was about 9-12 before we moved out of London and lost touch. We had dinner with her and her family, it was a wonderful night and I had fun seeing a beloved friend again.


This is Tiffy and Jeffy. Tiffy is from Kentucky. We became firm friends about 5 years ago when she was in London for the summer and she stayed with me for a bit. She is an amazing artist a gentle soul and one of my closest friends. Tiffy got married about a year ago to Jeffy and this was the first time we had met. Jeff is a complete sweet heart. It was his surprise to fly Tiffy to London so she could be here when we were here too. It was truly a reunion.




Natasha, or Tash is like a little sister to me. Her mother and I were best friends when I came back into the truth. Tash has been through alot and She is 16 and lives on her own is currently studying Fashion. It was wonderful to see her. .. I have so much love for her, her sisters and family.

Rainy day in the pub

We got caught in the rain one day and ducked into this pub where we are staying at the moment. The fire was roaring and we warmed up with a hot toddy. I took some nice photos while we were drying off and then of the area on the way back to the flat we are stay at.

Cheese and Port Evening...

Its finally getting cold here in London. The rain and wind are a bit much.. I can finally wear my warm clothes. I panicked the first week I was here it was to humid to wear the winter clothes I had brought.

Tonight we had been invited to a cheese and port evening at my sisters house hosted by my Dad. We where wowed with a wonderful variety of cheeses and some wonderful port.

We also had a practice run for the opera next week. I have brought a dress just for the occasion. my sisters had fun doing my hair with extensions and make up. I miss messing with my sisters and playing make up even at 32.