Where do I start?

Dear Readers:

I promised a few blog posts while I was gone.  It is really hard to find the time, but we will make this short and sweet.  So here are my random thoughts....

1.  Being in an airplane for 7.5 hours sucks!!  The opportunity to see Europe is priceless!

2.  The kids that I am traveling with are super awesome.  They have totally embraced the culture here.  We really thought they would be like the deer in the headlights, but not at all.  We have broken our group of 28 into 4 groups of 6 for checks.  It's a teacher thing!  I have 4 very independent girls along with a mom.  The girls don't hesitate to branch out on their own.  Mrs. B and I have to reel them in when on the subway.  They roll their eyes at us because they can do it on their 'own'.  As we remind them that we don't have cell phones here to call each other if we get lost.  

3.  My group calls me mom!  And most of the time when they call me that, it's because I"M the one who has strayed from the group!  Priceless

4.  The food so far has not been so great!  I'm hoping tomorrow's fish and chips lunch and banger and mash dinner will be over the top good!

5.  Windsor Castle.......LOVED IT!  As most of you know, I am a royal family history buff.  It was so nice to actually see the places that I've read about.  Also, I was able to answer a lot of the questions the tour guide asked.  The Queen was in here castle today.  She was meeting with Steven Spielberg.  They were watching War Horse in her theater!

6. St George's Chapel:  Absolutely the highlight of the day.  It was just amazing at the history of the place.  We were treated to some special music as they prepared for a concert tonight.  The most amazing thing happened while in the chapel.  A group of moms place my sister-in-law's name in the chapel prayer box.  She is fighting breast cancer and they knew this.  It made me cry!

7.  The Changing of the Guard:  This pretty cool as well.  There is a band that plays.   They played Dancing Queen and Mama Mia!!!  No shit!! We got a big kick out of that!

8.  So much for rude Americans!  My students have been amazed at the lack of manners of Europeans! There mouths just drop open when people do rude things!

Sorry...not my usually funny, snarky self.  Tired................

Make Every Day Count

Denise

Twas the night before....

Twas the night before Europe, when all through the house,
Not a dog was stirring, not even my spouse;
The suitcases  were  flung every where in the room,
In hopes that the packing fairy would arrive real soon.
The mounds of clothes waiting to be rolled,
I'm sure I'm taking too much if truth be told;
I take a deep breath, and begin to sort,
I don't want to be over weight when I get to the port.
One pair of black pants and 3 pairs of jeans,
Packing light, is this what that means?
Twenty shirts now dwindled down to eight,
Remaining stain free for 10 days would be great!
Three pairs of shoes and oodles of socks
Throwing in a few TSA approved locks;
PJs, undies, bras, a sweater and a jacket,
And the all important documents tucked away in a packet.
The liquids in 3 oz. bottles  or less  are stored in a quart bag,
Must follow the rules or face the wrath of the TSA hag.
Mac, iphone, camera and Nook
Everyone needs their toys and book!
British pounds, European Euros, and US dollars
If I forget them at home, you all will hear my hollar!
Ten days without Words With Friends, oh my
I'm too cheap to pay the data charges that would hit the sky.
Thank goodness for free Wi-Fi at the hotel
With it Facebook will work well.
The fun in London and Paris will be mine
As I go on an adventure of a lifetime.
And with the dimming of the light
Love to all and to all a good night.

Make Every Day Count.....
Denise