A Day Too Soon for April's Fools Day!

I can't believe we woke up to this!

I don't think it was suppose to actually snow in Aberdeen.

Other areas, but NOT here.

The wind howled all night long!

As far as sleep goes, it was not a good night.

Part of being a grandma or grandpa means 

you should not be waking up in the middle of the night!!

There's our two black cars.

Say goodbye to mine because it has been sold.

Ssnniiifffff! Its going to its new owners today.

I will be using the bus or convincing Bud to let me drive the Volvo.

I could walk, but I'm not going to in this weather!

London - Part 2

 When I think of London, these are two very iconic images that come to mind.

The double-decker red bus and the cabbie.

 

You even have your choice of colors -

black or red. 
(Bud pointed out that there all sorts of colors for cabs -
I know that but I only took a picture of a red and black one!)

I loved the architecture in London.

This was across the street from our hotel The Gore.

I was a little surprised to find this man.

It was 9:30 a.m. along Hyde Park Avenue (Street? Place?)

Hyde Park has some very expensive, posh buildings.

I guess it is a reminder that not all people have the same good fortune.

 

This is how I toured London.  2nd story.

It was great . . . and I got rained on and froze!

Still I wouldn't go lower because you just can't get a good view from there.

The sign speaks for itself!

Here was a long queue (line) of people waiting for the doors to open -

at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

I didn't see it but I would love to go back someday and have a look.

I fell in love with London.  

Its just a breathtaking place -

beautiful buildings, historic places, theater, arts, etc.

I definitely want to tour some more.

Stay tuned for more . . .

London Trip - Part 1

I know I need to get some pictures up from my weekend in London,
but I am a little bit busy at the moment.
I decided I would just post these two pictures for my
crazy daughter, nieces and girlfriends
who are Twilight/Robert Pattinson fans!

Wait for it . . .

ah, much better!

You crazy girls!
Has anyone seen this movie?  Wonder if it is worth seeing?

OK Go - Cool Video

I was reading this article and thought this was a really clever video. I have not heard of this group before - I will admit I am not always "with it" - but I think this worth watching. Enjoy! I especially think my grandson will find this entertaining.


Anyway, I am off to London to see the play WICKED! So excited.

The Frozen Dee River

A couple of weeks ago, Bud took these pictures of the River Dee.

The river was freezing up again and we wanted to get some pictures.

Being from the desert states in the U.S., 

we didn't see very many rivers of this size.

This was during a very cold snap - duh!

Earlier in the winter, the river froze solid with ice,

but we didn't get pictures of it.  Still, this freeze is pretty good.

You often see people Skulling or Rowing on this river.

They do in all kinds of weather, even in the winter,

however I've yet to see them do it in the ice!

If I ever do, then I will know that they are really

SCOTTISH TOUGH!

The Dee is famous for its salmon fishing.

I have seen men standing in their waders

with ice forming on the shores of the river.

That's what I call crazy!

(However, I've yet to find one who has caught a salmon!)

Shards of glass.

This bird is very industrious - found a twig.

I don't know how these gulls don't freeze.

I realize that this is their habitat but its so cold!

On days like this I wonder how much food they find.

Doesn't that look cold?

This picture gives me a brain freeze!

I wouldn't stick my face in this river on a hot day!

Burrrrrrr!

29 years and counting!

It has been 29 years since Bud and I married.

I'm not sure where the time has gone,

but it has passed quietly by - and sometimes not so quietly!

I wish all our stuff wasn't packed
and I could scan some pictures of when

we were younger and skinnier,
not to mention no gray hair.

Although I do like this part of our life the best!

Not too long afterward, this one showed up in our life!

That was 27 1/2 years ago and nothing has been the same since.

She was busy, talkative and had a great imagination.

Then this guy came along about 3 years later.  

We thought his sister was busy - HA!

He turned everything upside down!

BUSY,  BUSY,  BUSY was he.

He was sweet and kind and he loved his big sister.

And they have been harassing each other ever since.

Where in the heck did this guy come from?

He was added to the family about 10 years ago.

We love him; he's smart, funny and did I mention a nerd?

Don't worry, that is what he calls himself.

(I couldn't find a picture of him by himself.)

About 4 1/2 years ago we got the best addition -

our own little Elmer Fudd!

Isn't he cute?

He is our best little buddy!

He is smart, talkative and has a great imagination -

just like his mother!  Paybacks are great, aren't they?

One of my favorite pictures!

She was feeling left out!

She had to join the party.

Such a cute little bug.

She has tons of personality.  Loves to eat chips!

Loves to eat anything really, it is what she does best.

She is a joy to have around and like her mama and uncle -

she and her brother are best buddies!

Our life was feeling pretty complete except for one thing -

We needed one of these for our son!

She is tiny, soft spoken and talented.

She plays the violin beautifully.

She also has a great personality - keeps Bud, Jr. in place!

Ah, much better.

Life doesn't get much better than this!

Oh wait, yes it does - baby #3 is coming in August!  Yeah

(and no, it isn't our son's!  Way to go Snortney!)

I love you guys and so glad that I married Bud those 29 years ago.

All this happiness . . .

The view from my apartment window

Our apartment is on the 3rd floor.

This is looking out the front window.

Notice all the chimney stacks on these old flats.

 This is the view out the kitchen window.

It is quite different living in downtown Aberdeen instead of the quiet shire of Banchory. Bud and I went for a walk after dinner.  I was quite surprised when I heard a bird singing a beautiful melody.  Usually the only sounds I hear are the cars zipping by.  We are determined to enjoy the city life for the next couple of months while we wait on our apartment in The Hague to finished. 

By the way,  I broke down and bought an internet card.  I could not stay disconnected from the world until my internet service got connected.  Originally it was to be on March 10th but now they have moved it back to March 12th. 

The moving experience was a bit interesting over here.  The movers were to show up at 9:30 a.m. but usually made it before 10:00 a.m.  They would have to take several "ciggie" breaks throughout the day.  Lunch was an hour, except one day it was 1 1/2 hours.  They left between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m.  It took them three days to pack my house.  I had trimmed my household items down quite a bit when I moved over here.  When we left Utah, the movers took two days - they came in and got busy.  They ate lunch for about 15 minutes and got back to work.  On the third day here, their boss made them work through lunch and they finished at 5:00 p.m.  They were pretty unhappy about not getting lunch.  On the flip side, they were very nice and friendly. 

Moving - temporarily to Aberdeen

We are moving temporarily to Aberdeen until our apartment in The Hague is ready.  We plan to be there about six weeks.  Hopefully they will get the apartment done in a timely fashion.  In the meanwhile, we are going to be without internet service until March 10th.  I don't know how I am going to survive that long without seeing what is going on in my world!

Just thought I would leave you with this picture.

It is classic Scotland - stone fences are everywhere -

that is how you know you arrived in Scotland!

Adios!