Hey Everyone,

It seems no one goes on here anymore….  :-(  Anyway, so here's an update from us.  Pete's in St. Louis signing the papers for him to leave Enterprise.  He had been wait 2 months for his British passport to come in.  It finally did.  And 2 days later they finally returned his US passport which they had the whole time too!  Well, mid May I had sent mine in and a week later Hayles (because her stuff was at the drivers license place getting her provisional. It's been a mad rush getting all this type stuff done!!  So here we are mid June, and it's all over the news about passport office delays!!  Today I sent an email to our local MP asking if he could look into rushing our.  And believe it or not, I had a response before lunchtime!!  WHAT?!?!  Anyway, they said give them a few days and they'll advise.  I'm really hoping we can rush it along!  Then we'll be there sooner!  And, Pete's getting really excited too!

I have a big Pampered Chef show tomorrow I am SO excited for!  Only problem is it's 3.5 hour drive away!!  But it's for a good friend so that's why I'm doing it.  Ok, off to bed….

Hey Everyone, Linda asked about anything we may be selling, so I'm posting here to show pictures and if she doesn't want it, maybe one of you does??

 table, leaf, 6 chairs.  The table has a broken leg, but should be able to be fixed, and all chairs are in good shape  $150

$50

Double mattress and frame $150

Dresser and nightstand $75

triple dresser $75

Queen pillow top mattress (badass comfortable!), headboard/footboard (black) $250

twin trundle $50

double dresser w/mirror $150

dresser $75

This is our bed. we JUST bought it, so I cannot do cheap.  But if anyone is looking for a TOP quality memory foam king size bed WITH secret under storage compartment and headboard, I would sell it.  I have to look up what we paid, but I think in dollars it's near $5,000.  I know, ridiculous, but, I'll keep it if no one wants it.  Also, we'll sell those two little nightstands, $50??

I didn't price the sofa's because I"m not positive about selling, we may sell one…..

News….

So, with mixed emotions, I'm letting everyone know, Pete is leaving Enterprise.  After 18 and 1/2 years.  We don't know what he's going to do, or where we'll end up, we'll start a new chapter.  It's scary, but it's exciting!  We won't say no to an extraordinary opportunity if it pops up over here, but my guess is we'll be coming home.  It's a difficult time for Hayle, as she has only one year left.  And she's done incredibly well with her current teacher and school.  In fact, her teacher cried when I told her today.  Which made Hayle and I tear up too.  So, if we can't find a school, since we don't know where we'll be, staying here for one last year is also a possibility.  But a difficult one if Pete goes back to America for work.
The house should go on the market in the next week or two, we've begun cleaning, UGH!!  And taking out the garbage!  And that's just Hayle's room.  Hayle and I may sell bits and pieces at a car boot sale (like a flea market) because I cannot just throw things away!  And ebay isn't so successful for me.

I can't really answer questions about why he's leaving, only to say, his boss wants to shake things up over here.  We had an awesome year last year, but it wasn't as awesome as England in comparison.  But in my opinion, comparing Wales to England is like comparing, what?  Bananas and oranges??  So, onwards and upwards!! He'll take his experience, talents, and good looks (duh!) and make lemonade!!  He's telling everyone at work from yesterday, today, and I think the notice goes out this afternoon?? So then it's out there.  So nothing on Facebook from me for now…….. I've only told one person outside of family, that's Dana (oh, and now her teacher), but now we can.

OKTOBERFEST ANYONE??

Hey Everyone!  I know it's February, but just got a note from Pete's colleague in Germany, asking if we want a table at Oktoberfest.  There's NOTHING I'd love more, than to go with all of you!!  The dates of Oktoberfest are Sept 20th to October 4th.  Please look at flights and hotel and see if you can swing it??  It's a memory to last a lifetime!!!   He needs to know by end of week if we want a table.  It works like a lottery, sort of, I think.  He said we'd have a good chance for a table in the afternoon, but nighttime is out.  but that's probably best.  I'm telling you, IT'S FUN!!

Murder Mystery

http://semgulf.com

Hey everyone, I've booked a flight 17th Feb to 24th Feb and would love to do this Murder Mystery Train if you all want to.  We'll need a number of who's going and someone to take charge?  I know I've asked before, and I know all the girls are in, except I don't think I heard from Linda.  But I'm not sure of any spouses, or kids……

Hey everyone!  So, here's the plan.  Christmas Eve, Pete will be making baked macaroni.  Kathy is making antipasto salad.  We need a volunteer to make a regular tossed salad or caesars salad and a volunteer to bring breads (for dinner and with antipasto)

On Christmas morning, we'll have breakfast mexican casserole and bagels.  (I'll make it)

For dinner, I'm getting honey baked ham and Pete's cooking Beef (like last year I think)  I will make brussel sprouts, onions, and gravy,

Lori-if you make the Cauliflower mash and roasted veg, that would be great! (carrots, beets, parsnips??)

Kathy, I'm giving you sautéed green beans with almonds and parmesan and cheesecake

Linsey-broccoli casserole

Bridget-scalloped potatoes and asparagus

Linda-mashed potatoes

Mary-pumpkin pie(s)

Mom-breads

Any other snacks? I don't know, anyone else that wants to make something they love to cook is welcome to, but please note it on here so we know what's coming.  Obviously if you're traveling and can't cook no problem.
These are suggestions, if you want to change, please just note it.  ok, hope this sounds ok??

Oy!  I can't find the conversation and I can't remember who all is going to the Miami Game on 29 December.  I know we are, plus Mom and Kathy.  Scott Thompson and his family.  Gerry's family plus one.  I guess I need to see if Bridget's whole family and if Chad and Linsey are going??  If Everyone is, we need to pick up a couple more tickets.  Maybe one. But at this early stage, it shouldn't be a problem.

Also, we're going to look into hiring a coach to get us down there, and THEN, we're going to organize a contest:  your best tailgating food!  We'll find a good price on the coach and split it, but I think that's better than all of us driving, trying to find parking, and find each other, and then tailgate.  SO, who's in??!?!?!  And think what your specialty will be?!?!  FUN!! Lori, if you guys are coming that'd be even better!  Let me know y'all!!  Plus if it's on here, I shouldn't lose it!!!

Getting Ready!

Well, we picked up some brick and stone for the new house today. We really are not sure what we are going to use but the price was too good to pass any of it up. I prefer stacked stone but it seems the brick is more abundant. These were left over on the homes we are building in the new subdivision. It was all going to be thrown out. Brick is baked in lots--kind of like yarn is dyed in lots. They can't take extra back because it won't match the other lots. Silly if you ask me. I can certainly understand if I were knitting a sweater I would want all the yarn to match. However, I don't believe any brick is identical even when it comes from the same lot. Surely you would not see enough of a difference to make a difference. Well, it isn't going to make a difference for us because these aren't even the same color. Of course I really just want stacked stone to go up the fireplace inside and outside the house. I can use the brick for a patio, driveway and/or a fir pit. I'll have plenty of uses for it. Either way I am taking all the free brick and stone I can get my hands on--while I can.

Change Brings Attention

I've noticed anytime there is a change in the photo, there are more comments. I guess I'll start uploading photos here instead of Flickr. Maybe more of the family will join in.

It's Time for a Change

What a fun day!! Coffee at a snobby little coffee shop, a walk through Duke Gardens and the Chapel, Jen's shower and then hanging out at Rick's. Nothing better than a family fix. We had so much fun can't wait for the next family get together.

We're bored....

Just wanted a change.

Let's do Something! Do you want to join our club?

http://www.plan-uk.org

So Bridget said a while back, that Brittany wants to save girls from struggles.  And I think we all support that.  But, because sometimes we all let things fall by the wayside, someone needs to DO something.  I know everyone works (ok, except me, bridget and mom-but we are not the MOST organized)  So, this is a link to a website I saw in a commercial over here.  If you take a minute to look through it, we could find something to get behind?  'Like' it on Facebook and you will get a post once in a while.
I just read an article about a group of women in Africa who meet once a month, and each one has to bring .20.  then 4 people can 'borrow'....here's the article:

http://www.plan-uk.org/news/blogs/guest-bloggers/women-of-boula-village-burkina-faso/


But let's do something.  If we each make a monthly contribution to our club, then we decide what to do?  If we send cash, ok.  If we decide to use it to make quilts, ok?  scarfs?  blankets?  or fundraise somehow??  We have a minimum, $5 but give as much as you like?  Anyway, what do you think??

I saw a commercial on TV today about girls forced into marriage.  This is their website.  You'll see they do help a lot of girls.  Maybe this is something we can all get behind?
http://www.plan-uk.org

I finally downloaded some photos.  This was one of my favourites!!

Queen of the Braun Clan!

There wasn't a bad picture of you this weekend, Mom! You look fabulous!!!!

Having FUN on Mom's Birthday!!!  We really had a blast!  And the food was delicious!!  Rick asked us to give her a hug, so we did.

2013

What ever your plans are for this year may they all be safe, healthy and happy!

Let the Holidays Begin!

 I think Mom makes a good looking Queen. She really should have been an actress.

We took it outside but it was a little cooler once we sat down to eat. We should have left it inside.

Time for A Change!

Yesterday Tony and I drove for hours just to shoot some of the fall foliage. I felt it was time to change the scenery on our blog. 

Progress on Our Scotty

I had to change things up a bit to get everyone's attention. John is doing a great job on the camper. He totally stripped it to the floor and replaced everything inside. Well, he hasn't put anything inside yet. He replaced the walls--all but the outside skins which he removed the old paint and repainted. He had to totally replace the roof because it was in 5 pieces and should have been one piece. I'll have more pictures soon.