A Day At The Races

Just wanted to show you some more Diana Mini's 

from when we went to the Keeneland to watch the horses this October.  

Nick and I were ballin.  We won $100!  Word.

Some other members of the family were less lucky - but we all had a good time.

I don't know what the recent horse theme is all about but you know... 

They're pretty cool animals.

Also, just wondering how you all feel about

Obama's restoration of the US horse slaughter industry?

I don't really get what the big deal is, but what I am wondering is....

 if you are against it....

 is it just because they are horses and horses are cute animals?

or  

Are you against the slaughter of all animals?

or 

Am I just missing something?  

Holler back.  

American Flag Cow Girl Boots

These are my American flag boots.  

Stolen by my younger sister, the one and only LV.  

I've been salty that I can't wear them all day long.

Ughhhhhhhhhh what a statement they would have made when I went to WORK today.

Unlike all of you in the USA, believe it or not, England does NOT celebrate the 4th.

Go figure.

I'm a lil bummed about this.  

Speaking of which I've been considering dual citizenship lately.

Does that make me less patriotic?

I'm most defo proud to be an American....

But, truth be told....

I'd like to have the back up of the National Health Service in case I ever got super sick and my American insurance didn't pay for it.   Like I got sunburned really bad yesterday since the sun finally showed up here and my skin was in shock like whoooooooooa sunshine! and I think this might be the sunburn that puts me over the edge and into melanoma territory.  But at least I'm not pale now.  Ick.  But anyways if I ever did need NHS service cuz I'm pale as hell and prone to skin cancer that would be useful right?  Thats what I thought!  And it would be useful for having babies.  Cuz I hear that shits expensive!  (or not having babies, cuz that adds up too.)  In England they even pay you extra money to spend on fruit and veggies when you're preggers so you have healthy babies.  Is this even relevant?  I dunno but people seem to be popping them out lately so it's been on my mind.  

Anyways.  I miss you America.  I miss you a lot.

Happy 4th of July my friends and compatriots.  

Party in the USA for me, ala Miley Cyrus.  

 Oh and sing that "Proud to be an American" song.

It always gets me fired up.

Chocolate and Immigration

Oooooooooooo  Chocolate!!!  

Hi Friends,

This is me on Sunday night after Nick gave me a massive chocolate Easter egg.  

They're all the rage here.  

Forget about dying eggs or easter baskets.  

Just get a big ol fuckin chocolate egg.  

And make it dark chocolate.  Thanks.

You may be wondering why I look so.... rough.  

Well can I be honest? 

Great.  Cuz we are usually honest around here.

The previous night Nick and I were having a discussion about immigration issues and we recently discovered I would have to pay £1,000 to renew my visa when it expires in September.  I'm not even exaggerating this time.

Enter emotional breakdown.  

Conversation between husband and myself went something as follows:

Nick: Why are you crying?

Me:  (lip quivering) I just feel it's so unfair.  I pay taxes.  I live here.  

Why don't they like me?  

Nick : They don't know you.  They just want your money.

Me:  I know it just makes me feel like I don't belong.....  

tear.  sob.  

I don't belong anywhere anymore!  

I can't go a day without someone making fun of my American twang.  

And I'm not even American enough anymore. 

 If I went home now I wouldn't fit in like I used to.  

I say things like "quite lovely."  

I actually believe in universal health care.  

I run for buses.  

Nick, 

I don't even believe in guns anymore! 

(The horror!)

Nick: Kelly lot's of Americans don't believe in guns... 

like Michael Moore.

Me : MICHAEL MOORE!  

Gasp.  Sob. choke. tears.  

You think I am Michael Moore!  

I don't want to be like Michael Moore....

He is fat.....

Nick : .....And he has a beard.

Me: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.!!!

Sob sob sob.

You think I have a beard!?

Choke.  Sob.  River of tears.

I HATE MY LIFE!

Parties in the USA

So I have gotten some complaints about my blog struggling while I am DIYing.  The thing is, I'm working my butt off but I don't have much to show for it.  Lots of wall paper stripping, meeting old English tradesmen I can't understand, filling the millions of holes in the walls and painting.  You just be patient, little monsters.  The before and after shots are on their way!!

Meanwhile, as I have a lot of thinking time while spending the day alone, in between jamming to the latest tween hits on Heat Radio and praying that Katy Perry's Teenage Dream comes on next... I've been pondering a house warming party.  I don't know who I would invite, and that blows.  I want to show off my mad decorating skillz.  I need to make friends stat.  Anyone fancy a trip to England?

Here are some pics of awesome people I wish could party with me in our new house.  But at least I got to party with them in the USA while I was home...

Friends since birth. 

Richard was my locker partner and fellow camp lifeguard in highschool.

Now he's friends with my sister, Dani.  

She is always stealing my friends.

I am excellent at throwing parties.  

I even bought cotton candy vodka for this one.

I know, I know, you're jealous.

My mom and dad.  They party hard too.

My mom is the best hostess ever and I'd like to think I got her skills.  

Once my sister and I got in BIG trouble in high school

 for having people over without telling her ahead of time.  

When we explained that we didn't know why she was so upset she screamed...

"IF I KNEW YOU WERE HAVING PEOPLE OVER I WOULD'VE MADE HORS D'OUVRES!"

We've made sure to tell her ever since.

My baby sister and all her "tween" friends.  

She's actually in college now.  Big gurl.

Me, mom, Dani, and Lizzie.

Lizzie and her bff Tom.  

Prom Queen with her King.  

I love him because he wears bow ties and is only 18.

Dani and her boy toy Ryan.

Dani and I are Paris Hilton fans, stop judging us.

You're still judging.  Stop.  

Anyways, that's where she learned to soft smile like that.  

Man I love a good party!  

Oh annnnnnnnnnnnnd how about Alivia throws us all a party with lots of veggie food?!

Because you have just won my Give-Away!

Wooooooooo Hooooo!

Email me for your prize!

Bedroom Inspiration : Oh Deer!

When redecorating our new house, we chose to to do very neutral colors so it would be appealing to lots of buyers should we decide to up and move back to America.

For this reason, I am loving the bedroom of Nikole Herriot, as featured on design*sponge.  So much, in fact, that we chose to  paint a chocolatey brown feature wall in our bedroom.

I think what really gets me are the antlers.  Wouldn't they be perfect for hanging necklaces?  Remember how I desperately wanted to buy a head, but Nick put his foot down?  Well I think since antlers are a little tamer version of that, maybe I could get away with it.... maybe...?  (If you're inclined I would appreciate you leaving comments on how classy and fabulous antlers are for Nick to read.  Comments on how he should give me free reign in the decorating department are also appreciated.)

Though I would have to find a vegetarian friendly antler option.  Any tip offs?  I know I saw wood carved ones online but I can't seem to rediscover them.  Oh and while I'm on the deer kick, isn't this duvet cover the coolest? (brought to my attention by Krystal of Village)  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get away with this though.  Maybe it's a bit of deer over kill (pun intended - yes, I think I'm funny), but I LOVE it!

I think it would be the perfect combination of chic hillbilly.  

Whats not to love?

Well thats the decoration inspiration for now.  If any one else has neutral bedroom inspiration please share it with me!  I am having the hardest time deciding on a color to paint our guest bedroom which has a weird blue/grey carpet.

Other than that we are trying desperately to get everything in a live-able state, but we are having trouble coordinating trades people.  Very frustrating!

A Conversation with a Cabbie

It started with the usual where are you from...?

America.

It progressed to making fun of my slight twang.

"You're a quacky yank.  Quack Quack"

Yeah, I've got a little Midwestern drawl.

Conversation turns to politics.

Oh, brother.  This is not my strong suit.

He hates Bush.  Typical. 

Loves Obama.  Also, typical.

Cried like a baby when he was elected.  

He even said.......

"His election was like God coming to Earth."

A reincarnation of JC?

Come on.

Then, it got personal.

"Can I ask you something personal?"

Yeah I guess.

About September 11th.

Uh huh.

When the pentagon blew up - they didn't find the bodies.  

How is that possible?

Me - I'm not one for conspiracy theories.

At midnight Nick and I were discussing this conspiracy theory bologna.  

And he pulled this up.  He figured I wouldn't watch it for more than 5 mins.

Like I said, Politics - not my thing,

 and political documentaries - really not my thing.

But an hour and a half later, 

this documentary was blowing my mind.

Seriously.

My. mind. was. BLOWN.

So my compatriots, I'm now wondering...

how do you feel about conspiracy theories?

Especially when it comes to 911.

Summer Lovin

Hey homies.

Who's that hottie in the purple MILF swimsuit, you may ask...

Thats me....

Enjoying the summer sun.  In America.

Where the sun ACTUALLY shines.

With my BFFAEAE, Garen, Cincinnati's Queen City Girl.

(Best Friends Forever And Ever And Ever.  We like to emphasize the evers, OK?)

This time last week we were catching some rays with our little sisters.

My pasty English skin could barely handle all that UV.

Don't worry though I used SPF 50 and reapplied.

Frequently.

I'm back in England now and it is currently 12 C here.

That's 54 F for you folks back home.

It's freaking freezing.

Oh and it's been raining too.

So enjoy the summer while you still can!

I'm totally jealous!

Everybody Loves the Cubbies

This is my good friend Liza.

We've been pals since kindergarten.

She was super duper awesome to me in Chi-town last week.

She let me share her studio apartment and bed with her and her crazy cat, Vince....

And she didn't even get that mad at me when I returned home from the wedding 

and tried to take him on a walk....

FYI

Cats on leashes being walked (dragged) by drunk bridesmaid = crazy, hissy mess.  

But you know what was REALLY awesome?

She remembered that "Go to a Cubs game"

Was on my Chicago To Do List for like 4 years when I went to school there.

And I just never got around to going....

I studied far too much in college.  

So going with her was awesome!

It was just as good as I ever imagined.

The atmosphere at baseball games is topnotch.

And the pizza in Wrigleyville is pretty good too!

Thanks Liza for this little piece of Americana!

Lord knows I LOVE it!

ps.  Thank you for all the support and prayers. 

My Uncle passed away this morning after a long night of tears and prayers,

but we are all glad he is in heaven now.
pss. My friend Amy just joined the blogging world. 
Show her some love!