My Observations Over the Past 4 Weeks

Well, tomorrow will mark 4 weeks since we moved to Culcheth. Time has flown by! The children will start school in a week and we all have mixed emotions about that. A little nervous, but I also know it is the best thing for everyone. It will allow them to make friends, get involved in activities and have some structure.

We have all been stuck in the house together these four weeks and it has taken its toll. We don't have a car yet, not that we could drive much anyway with snow and ice on the ground for almost 4 solid weeks! (The temps got above freezing today and the snow started to melt away. I'm very glad!! Its pretty to look at, but no fun to walk in!) I am really looking forward to getting a car so we can go explore other places in this beautiful country! (Or just go to the store and get stuff when we need it- I'm just sayin') What I want to do is go to different villages, take pics and blog about them. That's the new hobby I plan to have.

Slowly progressing is setting up our home. I really like our house and our neighborhood. Our next door neighbors have children the same age as Cullen & Ansley- boy and girl. The girl will be in Ansley's class, so I am really hoping for good friendships there. They are scarcely seen, so we have yet to play with them, although we built snowmen alongside them last weekend. Hopefully when the snow melts, they will come out and play.

I have had fun at the grocery store, decoding items. I read all the labels to see what things are, because i learned that just because it has the same name does not mean it tastes the same! For instance, here Old El Paso taco seasoning DOES NOT taste like taco seasoning. But, I can use chili seasoning and it does taste like taco seasoning. Ranch dressing...not so much! It says it, but its not IT. The other day I was at the store, looking at an apple pie, reading the label very closely. I felt a lady beside me, just watching me and I could tell she was wondering why I was so intently looking at it, as if I've never seen an apple pie before.

I'm getting used to standing out, looking and sounding different. (As used to it as I can get, you must know I hate to stand out) This is a small village, and word is getting around that Americans have moved in. I find it funny that on two different occasions, people have asked Trace if he's from Australia. I try to listen to hear what our accents must sound like to them.

This is a lovely place. The people are very sweet. Ansley said tonight "Are there any bullies here? I bet not, because this is a sweet place." We have been overwhelmed with love from our new church family- but that's a blog for another day...