Snow; No Heat

Since you know nothing can go smooth at the Bungalow, it won't surprise you that when the UK has the worst cold snap since the 1960s, I lost heat. I know, preposterous, you say! Preposterous is exactly what I was thinking too since I ordered gas for heating on Dec 31 and was expecting delivery in 5-7 days. On Friday, after not receiving my gas, I rang the gas company again. My tank was now on E, basically running on fumes. I stressed to them that I was at home with two little children and I REALLY needed my gas delivery. I was told it would be "prioritized". Saturday morning I woke up, no heat. I called the gas company again. Once again "we'll prioritize it". Mmmm yes, that magical prioritizing.

By 10am, I was freeeezing. The kids were freeeezing. I messaged my friend Sam, who lives down the road, told her our situation, then spoke to her on the phone. She offered to let us come spend the day at her house. She is a saint. That night we returned to a house that's temperature was hovering probably around 50 degrees on the inside. I put the kids in my bed under a comforter, duvet and blanket. I crawled in there that evening after I couldn't stand being cold despite my Snuggie. Under the layers of duvets it wasn't so cold, but in the morning my throat was sore from the cold.

Sunday morning I rang the gas company once again. This time, they weren't in the office. Lovely. I had nobody to yell at. Awesome. I called Sam again. We spent the day at her house again. Her husband John cooked us an awesome pork roast for dinner complete with potatoes, cauliflower, peas, Yorkshire puddings...it was lovely. I wandered back to my ice box house around 8pm. The kids had taken a bath at Sam's, so at least they were clean for school this morning when I woke up.

I called the gas company, once again, this morning. Apparently my gas was delivered yesterday while I was at Sam's. BUT my pilot light is out, so no heat. Epitome of awesome. Right now, I am waiting, in my freezing house for the gas engineer (technician) to show up to help me get my gas situation sorted. I know if I leave the house they will magically show up (UK engineers and package delivery people are gifted at this). I would attempt it myself, but at this point and with my luck, I would probably blow the house up.

** Side note** Yesterday I was sitting at Sam's house talking about all the things I could be doing. Well, you all know my cat's name is Sam as well. Listing off chores I could be doing if I had heat in the house I said "I need to clean out Sam's box (talking about my cat's litterbox)" *Paused* "Not your box" (to friend Sam). Both of us at this point fell into fits of laughter to the point we were both crying. Beware if you cat has the same name as your female friend...

**UPDATE** Engineer came and fixed the boiler/pilot light. I now theoretically have heat. Just waiting for it to get warmed up in here. Large house, might take a bit.

Dear So and So...Baby It's Cold Outside

Dear POW Sam Kitty,

Upon your latest escape I did the following calculations. 1) It takes about 20 seconds for snow to seep through jeans when you are kneeling on it. 2) It takes about 2 minutes for your knees to go completely numb from said snow. 3) I am capable of producing about 15 swear words in those two minutes. 4) After about five minutes the numb turns to a burning sensation. 5) After about 10 minutes in the snow I am ready to wash my hands of you and let you get hit by the cars on the main road. 6) It takes roughly 15 minutes to wrangle a cat who is under the huge back deck in the snow. 7) I lost count of curse words, but it was a lot.

A-hole!, Kat

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Dear Mr. Air Force Dentist Dude and Assistant,

I nearly peed myself (with gauze and metal bits in my mouth) when you guys suggested that a paintballing session might be better than couples therapy. "You remember the time you..." *pelt partner with paintballs*

Still Laughing, Kat

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Dear KiKi,

I might just pop with joy over your love of puzzles. Maybe one day we can work really big puzzles together like I used to do with Granny. It will be awesome. Now, if I could just get you to quit peeing your pants...

Love, Mom

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Dear LaLa's Little Friend Who Called On The Phone Last Night,

I am not sure if I am ready for this chatting on the phone with a friend thing yet. I thought surely I had another year or two until this madness started. And that impression LaLa did of me? Soooo not accurate.

Give Momma a Break, Kat

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Dear Elizabeast,

You are nearly as good a snuggler as The Man, but you'll do. Plus you're cute, and furry, so that helps.

Love, Your Human Mom

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Dear Readers,

If you have a Dear So and So... to add please link up. Keep warm, you horrible lot!

*smooches*, Kat

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Snow Day

School was cancelled today due to the light snow we have received (and is still falling). Of course I didn't find out until coming back inside from waiting for the nonexistent school bus for 10 minutes. When I came inside I had 2 missed phone calls and a text telling me school was cancelled. Just my luck, froze my ass off for no reason.

Of course my root canal appointment for this afternoon is still a go too.

Favorite Photo-Meme

I got tagged by the lovely Tara from Sticky Fingers to post my favorite photo. It doesn't matter which photo I choose. It just has to be my favorite (and on my hard drive). Let me tell you, it is pure torture to sort through pictures and only pic one as a favorite. I did it though!!

This my dears, is my favorite photo. We were out for a walk with my parents while they were visiting in the "animal park" this past spring. They had been chasing bunnies around the close. We decided to walk along the trails (thank goodness for Wellies) and I captured this shot. It just makes me happy. My girls, Wellie boots, and walking in the English countryside. Perfect, just perfect.

I am passing this Meme along to:

Jay- because she is an outstanding photographer.

Chad- cause who doesn't like pictures of Connor and Liam?

Jess- cause I know the photo will be entertaining.

Amy- another fantastic photographer and fellow American in the UK

Get to scouring your files kids, I expect to see results soon!

Overreaction

Saturday night I was drained. Mentally I was drained. The kids had been a nightmare all day; KiKi continuously wetting her pants and LaLa testing her boundaries with attitude, hand on hips and stomping of the foot. I just really wanted a minute to talk to my husband and was really looking forward to 8pm, when he said he would try to be online.

At 8pm I checked Skype and saw him online. With a big exhale I messaged him. Then he lost his connection (or so I assumed). I lost it. We have been having spotty connection issues since he got DownRange. He has been relying on the free Internet connections at the moral centers at the base. Moral centers might be an oxymoron because the Internet connections there are the most unreliable. So, I lost it. Tears. Messages to Jay telling her how sick I was of the dropped connections and my crappy day. Finally, after about 30 minutes I pulled it together and got the kids in bed.

When I returned to the computer an hour later, he was back online. I had waiting messages. I was a bit excited to say the least. We had a nice conversation without a single interruption. Come to find out, he was at a kiosk purchasing a reliable connection the first time he popped up; testing the connection. My moment of disappointment was him actually trying to make sure that our communication method was better.

Lordy, I really miss him.

Separation Anxiety

It started a couple of weeks ago. KiKi wet her pants. No big deal. I changed her pants, told her that big girls use the potty and thought little of it. Then it happened again and again and again. It is to the point that I am running out of clean underpants and trousers for the child! My washing machine is going at full tilt all the time. I am resisting the urge to put her back in diapers, because she *IS* toilet trained. She knows how to do it!

Then I got to thinking. Then I did some Googling (cause Google is never wrong). Talked to my Granny (cause Granny is never wrong either). Then came to a conclusion. The first time she wet her pants was a couple of weeks before my husband left for Afghanistan. Yes, he was here, but it was a time where maybe emotionally it was a bit strained around here. It was a time of frenzy. Maybe a conversation within earshot of the kids happened, I'm not sure. I am sure she knew that something was up. We told the kids about the deployment, and LaLa gets it. She knows Daddy is going to work in Afghanistan for a long time, of course not knowing the full implications of that. KiKi, well she just knows Daddy isn't home.

I know every child takes a deployment differently. LaLa has become a bit clingy and a bit overbearing. She has also started to test her boundaries to see how much she can get away with (not much La, sorry.) KiKi has regressed. I know it will eventually stop (at least before she is married) and I am trying NOT to yell, scold, and be "mean mommy" about it. I know this time is difficult for her, but it is also difficult for me.

I am so not looking forward to having to re-train her, but it looks like my only option at this point. Reward M&M's anyone?

Dear So and So...New Years Edition

Dear 2009,

We've had our ups. We've had or downs. Mostly you've been, eh. Kinda glad you are over.

Meh, Kat
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Dear 2010,

Bring it on!

I Dare You, Kat
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Dear BBC2,

Did you really have Boy George on TV? I guess he is done serving that sentence for having that male escort tied up in his flat then?

*snort*, Kat
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Dear City of London,

Lovely fireworks display!

Thank You, Kat


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Dear Stupid Drunk New Years Eve Drivers,

Thanks for staying off the roads until I got home from my New Years Eve get together. I had a lovely time with all my friends and I would have been really ticked off if you had ruined it for me. BTW, if you are drinking and driving SHAME ON YOU!!!!

*swift kick in the ass*, Kat
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Dear Readers,

I love you guys to pieces. Please have a safe and happy New Year! If you wrote any letters, please link up with Mr. Linky.

Love, Kat
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