Happy Birthday to me! Big 39 today! Don't feel a lot different - but that 40 number is now looming over my head - why does a number have such an impact? I dunno - doesn't matter anyway, time keeps a rollin' doesn't it? :)
I've been a bit homesick this week - while I wouldn't give up this adventure for anything, it would be nice to be able to go to Chapel Hills mall, drop by Dillards, pick up some makeup I don't need, go to the jewlery counter at Macy's pick up some bracelets and rings I don't need, of course stop by the boot sale rack and grab 2-3 pairs of boots, make a quick stop at Chik-fil-a and have some waffle fries and a deluxe chicken sandwich which I DEFINITELY did not need, pop into Bath and Body Works for 
some new bubble bath and anti-bacterial hand soap, Children's Place for some new clothes for the kids, Sears for some new appliances and a TV, and, and and - phew... yes, I am shopping deprived right now. The shopping in the UK leaves quite a bit to be desired - they just have not figured out the consumer-centric life that we live in the US. Maybe that is a good thing - I've been able to actually save some money since we've been here instead of spening every last dime I make... but still, a girl needs to shop - not just shop and look at things that I cannot afford or don't even want, but to BUY things to adorn my home and body with... So, my birthday present is to go shopping in Peterborough this weekend -
some new bubble bath and anti-bacterial hand soap, Children's Place for some new clothes for the kids, Sears for some new appliances and a TV, and, and and - phew... yes, I am shopping deprived right now. The shopping in the UK leaves quite a bit to be desired - they just have not figured out the consumer-centric life that we live in the US. Maybe that is a good thing - I've been able to actually save some money since we've been here instead of spening every last dime I make... but still, a girl needs to shop - not just shop and look at things that I cannot afford or don't even want, but to BUY things to adorn my home and body with... So, my birthday present is to go shopping in Peterborough this weekend - 
It was actually really funny - Pat and I were on the phone earlier today talking about our shopping adventure this weekend - I'd heard from my neighbor that Birmingham has good shopping, so Pat Googled Birmingham and started reeling of names of shops in the shopping mall there: Auntie Anne's, Bath and Body Works, Victoria's Secret, Gap, Banana Republic, Sears... I was like- 'we are so going to Birmingham - its like mini-America there!!!!" At the same time it dawned on us that he must have looked up a US mall - sure enough - Birmingham Alabama's mall has all of those stores... The Sears made it a dead give away... Oh well, I'll just have to go to Marks and Spencer and Bhs... sigh, no Chik-fil-a or Macy's for me anytime soon...And as for bargin shopping - they have a TK Maxx here (same as TJ Maxx), but it is dismal by comparison. We went to an Outlet Mall in Bicester a couple of weeks ago - not anything like we are accustomed to in Castle Rock or Loveland - there were some fantastic stores there, don't get me wrong, French Connection, Puma, Burberry, but, the prices were quite a ways off from what I would expect from an Outlet store - a Burberry scarf was still over $80 - anyone who finds that to be a bargin has not shopped in the US...
Anyway, I got my taste of America tonight dining at TGI Friday's - I really don't care for that restaurant in the US, and it wasn't much better here, but at least it was totally familiar food and surroundings, we even had a waiter from Florida!By the way, I share a birthday with our good friend Bart Finn - never mind that he is younger, March 19th rocks :) Happy Birthday Bart!
As always, I have lots more to write, but I've lost my ambition - here are some photos - more later :D
2 comments:
Happy Birthday to you Lari from all the Wallaces! Sorry you're so shopping deprived - wish we could change places as I hate to shop and love to travel!
I love reading your blog and looking at your pictures...keep it up so I can live vicariously through you.
And know that almost 40 is a lot better than being on the downward slide to 50!
Happy "late" birthday girlie! I normally try to catch up on the blogs every other week!
39 is great - enjoy it! The 40's are even better and according to Oprah "the 50's rock"....something to look forward to!
Totally get the CHM shopping day discription - there are very few of us who understand. Hang in there! And without a TJMaxx/Marshalls fix every couple of weeks? OMG, I'd have to drink more :)
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