Lighter Note...

On Sunday night, Scott and I went to see Steve Winwood. You know, "Higher Love" and "Valerie"? Well, I really didn't have high expectations but he was playing at a very small venue (maybe 250 people) and one we had not been to before. It's called the Arches and it is literally the tunnels under the Central Train Station in the City Centre. It's fantastic. Lots of little "rooms" or tunnels and not enough room for too many people.

Well, Stevie came on and rocked the house! His music, as most of you probably already know, is fantastic. I particularly enjoyed the saxophonist since we are listening to Ethan learn his first few songs on sax.

We've been to a few other concerts in Glasgow and Glaswegians love their music. The last one we went to was Sheryl Crow and it was fun to see the uninhibited enthusiasm for the music instead of sitting still all night and clapping occasionally. Maybe I've been to boring concerts in Dallas but Sheryl was really rockin! And Steve Winwood gave us another example of just how much Glaswegians love their music. No seating. Standing room only for 3 hours. Now this wasn't exactly a thrashing on your feet concert. And we were definitely the youngest couple in the crowd. But there were a lot of happy grown ups wiggling their bums and stompin their feet to a classic! Great fun! Sore feet.

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates...

Okay, sorry I haven't posted in a week but we've been busy. On Tuesday of last week, my trusty ticker from the local real estate website alerted me to a new house for lease on the market that met our criteria. (Whew. Bad grammar I know.) So, I went to see it Tuesday with Charlie (home sick from school) and then took Scott back on Wednesday. This was it, the one. I know, your saying...your just leasing. But anyway, we told the realtor to start the paperwork. Side note, when I viewed on Tuesday and we both viewed on Wednesday, we met the owner and also saw his house around the corner because as he said, "he just needed to get one rented so which one did we prefer?" So we've been busy figuring out how to make it all work and get in it before the end of the month.

This said house was as my friend Yvonne says, "straight off the box of chocolates" cute. Storybook Scottish charm on the outside. Massive mature gardens front and back. Garage and outdoor storage room. Greenhouse. Completely renovated inside (no one has even lived in it since work was completed), and the location was just right.

Well, you know when something seems too good to be true? I filled out all the necessary papers then waited. And waited. Then finally phoned this morning first thing. Left message. When I arrived home from Body Combat, the realtor called to say he had some bad news. The owner's girlfriend decided she wanted to live in it. What? Whachu talkin bout willis?? Your kidding right? Because, I've placed all my furniture (in my head) and we've told the kids. We know better.

So one more big lesson learned in life for the Nicols. God's perfect timing, is not always your own timing. And don't say anything about the kitten until the lease is signed!

Hanging Out with Angus

This little kitten has quickly adjusted to our noisy, busy house! He is super friendly, frisky and fun! We love him so much already and he loves to cuddle and follow us around.

He is still loving Scott a little more than Scott loves him!

Charlie, Ethan, Angus and I are snuggled up inside today while Scott and Christopher went mountain biking with friends. The boys had off Friday and today (bank holiday) and Charlie and Ethan are a little under the weather so we are relaxing and chilling out with Angus Kitty!

Autumn

Autumn makes me a little homesick. After celebrating all of the birthdays in our family, we always move straight into Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities! Although those things are happening for us here in Glasgow, it doesn't feel quite the same. The weather here helps as far as changing the season. The leaves are turning, the air is COOL and crisp (and mostly wet) and the days are shorter. But when you've spent your whole life in one climate where the fall is a few weeks long (and warmer than most), you kind of miss it. Never thought I'd say that!

I miss feeling cold at 60 degrees on the football field early on Saturday mornings. I miss our veggie co-op and the bounty of fruits and veg our neighbors selected. I miss the Town Creek Neighborhood Halloween carnival. I miss our big yard and the work associated with it. I miss the State Fair. I miss St. Lukes and all of the Rally Day festivities. I miss Tex Mex on a lazy weekend night. And I'm sure Scott and the boys miss Sunday or Monday night football!

Of course, we are enjoying cold rugby games and it's nice to see the color on all of the trees. And we look forward to Halloween here with our neighbors. We are enjoying new autumn traditions here. And most of all, we are looking forward to a host of Autumn visitors. Grandma and Grandpa Nicol are coming in 2 weeks, followed by our dear neighbors, Rick and Terri Hawkins, and then their daughter Lauren Hawkins since she will be working in London.

I know I am rambling but just thought I'd shout out to our friends and family in the USA that we that we miss you and all of the everyday, ordinary things that we shared during the fall!

Angus Nicol

We have a new addition to our family! His name is Angus Nicol and he is 10 weeks old. The boys have been asking and asking to adopt a little bundle of joy and after kidnapping our neighbors cat for 24 hours, we decided now is as good a time as any! I picked him up yesterday afternoon.

He is so sweet, cuddly and playful. We are all smitten. Well, maybe not Scott yet but of course, that is who he loves the best so far! Notice what he thinks about Scott working on his computer late at night in bed! When I returned from tucking each of the boys in last night, I found Angus basically sitting on Scott's head. (he moved while I went to grab the camera) So sweet, so cute, and just like a tiny baby! What was I thinking????

Ethan's Birthday Party

Ethan celebrated his 10th birthday this weekend with a handful of friends. They went rock climbing at a local gym and then had a sleepover. Fun times for all and we even kidnapped the neighbor's lost kitty for the night! (we didn't know who he belonged to so we brought him in, fell in love, posted signs and now he's gone home - more on this later)

So they stayed awake until about 2, as you do, and then Ethan played rugby in a tournament for about 5 hours Sunday morning; so what do you think he said this morning?? Do I have to go to school mom????? Of course you do. And remember to take your swimming kit and your rugby kit, you have both today!

Can't believe our sweet boy is 10!

Strawberries and More Strawberries

Boy are we enjoying these fresh picked strawberries! We've had strawberries and whipped cream, strawberry cheesecake to celebrate Ethan's birthday, Strawn's Strawberry Pie (luckily found this famous recipe in the Red River Revel Cookbook so I could relive childhood memories!), strawberries for snack at school, chocolate dipped strawberries, strawberries on our cereal. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy! Maybe strawberry ice cream for dinner??