A Picture of Me Without You, or, There's a Tear in My Beer

Times like these make me wish I drank. Or liked country music. Or both. Because today is a cry-in-your-beer kinda day.

One child went off on a school trip today. That didn't make me cry, I'm quite happy for him as he was so excited.

Three kids and I went out to McDonalds. That didn't make me cry because it is SUCH A RARE EVENT, you would've thought I had taken them to Disneyland. They were very excited and thanked me several times. And amazingly, no one cried when I rolled the window down and one balloon (from said fine dining establishment) flew out of the car.

Same three kids and I rented a movie DESPITE the poor reviews. I didn't cry over that either. In fact, I learned that people who do reviews are idiots. Mirror Mirror was fun. The kids laughed and my artsy brain was drunk on gorgeous images. And what can I say? Julia Roberts, in a movie where she doesn't drop the F-bomb, is a lovable villain.

Today it rains...again.
I don't cry over rain.

Ok, I did get frustrated when it rained EVERY SINGLE DAY that the son and DIL were here (and most days were all-day rain), but I always give thanks for rain.
Growing up in Arizona will do that to you.

Today marks the one year countdown to our leaving England. There's so much I haven't seen yet! There's so much I know I will miss. I believe this tiny little island is going to leave a massive-sized hole in my heart. I imagine myself, sitting in a barren, pub-less desert, with skin as brown as Earl Grey tea, singing:

"Like a treasure that travels with me down every road
There's this longing lonesome and deep
Kind of bitter, kind of sweet
There's a hole in my heart
There's a hole in my heart
There's a hole in my heart in the shape of you (, Britain)"-Jewel, with a little help from me.

I know. Sad sack. Glass half empty. Or Glass nearly dry with hard water stains. I can hear you non-country music lovers (and people who know that there are real problems in the world and I'm whinging about having to move in a year):

"Pull yourself up by yer bootstraps!"

Yeah. I've always hated that expression too.

Come on, cry with me.

  Poppies, Lawn bowls, Autumn hay stacks and Cricket

Castles, churches and the Queen's Calvary

Hairy Coos, windmills and clotted cream

History, history, and more history.

Don't worry. 

I have begun to make another list. One of all of the things that we can look forward to back in the states as well. I'm thinking with 365 days to write, I should be able to come up with a pretty impressive list.  Anyone want to contribute?