Note to self

~ never leave home without double checking that nail clippers are packed.


That's good advice.


So I [inadvertently] lied in my previous blog post. I didn't get lost.

It's fairly chilly here, and dark by the time I leave the office, so I don't really get out and do much. But that's okay, it's not nearly as much fun to meander the streets of London alone. B is absolutely coming with me next time... It's rather boring when I'm here by myself.

The flights were all ontime, but that didn't mean there weren't 'travel-related' issues. First off, I wasn't feeling well - and on the flight from Omaha to Chicago, I got a nosebleed in mid-flight. Dry air on plane, extended cold & Sudafed = nosebleed. And who the hell wants to sit next to someone that's bleeding on an airplane. Luckily, the guy didn't realize, because he was sleeping. That's a double bonus, because he didn't speak to me the entire flight.

I had to gate check my carry-on bag, when we landed in Chicago, I was waiting patiently for my bag - everyone else that had to gate check their bag, had gotten their luggage and headed to the terminal. I have no bag. They shut the door. I tell the gentleman that I haven't received my gate checked bag.

His response... "Are you sure?"

Silence... this is where I silently count to 12.

"Yeah. Pretty sure."

"What does it look like?"

I describe said bag, hand him my gate check ticket, and he heads back outside.

He can't find it.

I inform him that he has to find it - because I. Gate. Checked. the. bag.

15-20 minutes later, they found my bag.

Sigh #1...

Not too many other issues to speak of, a few other things that aren't even worth mentioning anymore.

I watched a couple movies before trying to sleep - 'What's Your Number?' - cute, albiet predictible chick flick. I would recommend if you were in the mood for a chick flick. Like I said, it's cute. Then I watched 'The Rum Diary' with Johnny Depp. Bleck. Stupid movie...

Arrived 1/2 hour early, made it through customs super fast, and then I waited for the car service to arrive. After waiting for an hour, (a half hour due to the flight being early, and then another half hour due to sometimes getting through customs takes a bit of time) I pull out the booking reservation to find out that it had been booked to pick me up the day before...

Sigh #2.... before you ask... no, I didn't make the reservation.

No big deal. I hop in a cab and head to the hotel. I only wish I hadn't waited an hour before checking the reservation.

Sometimes I feel that these things only happen to me. Which can't possibly be true.

From the mouths of babes

London in the winter

I'm headed across the pond to spend a week in London.

Winter in London is not nearly as foreboding as the photo I found portrays it to be. It very rarely snows, and if it does, the city shuts down.

I went in January a few years back, and I was never cold. At least not until I returned to Omaha, and had to dig my car out of snow and ice because the only parking spot available when I left, was on the roof of the parking garage.

I'm staying at a different hotel - I'm a creature of habit, and like to stay in places that I am familiar with when in an unfamiliar city. Which is why I had always stayed in the same hotel - I knew the part of town, where the 'tube' was, where the stores were, the restaurants, the pubs, and how to get to the office. This hotel is closer to the office (but in the opposite direction) - it has a fitness center onsite - a 'sky lounge' - and several other updated 'American' amenities.

I bet I get lost [if even for a tiny little minute] the first day.

Happy Birthday to me...

Today I turn 42 - and it brings my birthday week to a close. I took the day off work, and I'm going to spend the day doing this and that. It's been a great week - even if it did get off to a rough start. Being sick stinks.

I am looking forward to bringing my birthday week to a close with a dinner celebration with B later tonight - - - and perhaps a few cocktails.

Taking the first step

Hi.

My name is Michele.

And I'm addicted to Hoarders. (The TV show)

Some people will understand this, and agree wholeheartedly with me. Some will scoff and tell me how disturbed I am. Others will be completely grossed out just thinking about it.

I can't help it.

It's like a train wreck...

...and I can't look away.

The Party Hat

When I pull the party hat out - both dogs get the 'oh f*ck' look on their face. They both stare at me with 'that look' until I say one of their names, and then the other lets out an [almost] audible sigh.

I must say, Chloe is a much better poser when it comes to getting her picture taken in the hat.

We sang Happy Birthday to Beaner - and then.... there were treats for everyone!!!

Everybody's birthday is a big deal in our house.

Three!!

Happy 3rd Birthday little Beaner!!!

I couldn't even imagine my life without little troublemaker Chloe Fae. She brings so much entertainment, and joy to our lives - that I often think 'what would we do without Bean??' I love that little dog more than I ever thought I could. B tells her all the time that she was hand picked by me - and that makes her the luckiest puppy in the world.

She's such an awesome little dog, she's become a little Mama's girl - and totally knows how to steal my heart when she puts her little head between her paws and gives you the 'whadid I do?' look.

Chloe's birthday present was a burrow bed, which we purchased at www.2paws4u.com (in case anyone looks at the pictures and thinks this too would be perfect for your dog. Terriers are big burrowers, Chloe spends most of her days (and nights) crawling under blankets, curling, turning, turning, and curling, until she finally finds the right spot, and lays down - with just her little head sticking out.

With the burrow bed, all she has to do is crawl in. We gave it to her a couple weeks ago. I know, I know, I'm a sucker... She doesn't use it quite as often as I thought she would - but she's been burrowing in blankets for three years. She has used it a few times on her own, so I guess old habits die hard. Even with dogs.