Back From Europe and Did I Mention...

No...I did not just get back. I've been back since the 3rd but lots going on here. More on that later. But first, I give you my trip to see Phil. I left on Jan. 28th to fly over to London. Unfortunately, in order to get the upgrade to envoy class with our miles, I had to first fly to Charlotte, NC. A very nice city, I'm sure, but not when it adds several hours to your 7 and1/2 hour flight. Although...I was seated next to a very yappy USAir pilot who was headed home after an overseas flight. I learned so much. Did you know that pilots have a sleeping area up near the cockpit on international flights and they like to wear the most outrageous pajamas they can find? Nope, I didn't either. He's on the lookout for some pink flannel ones with bunnies on them. Nope, I'm not making this up.

Phil arranged for a driver to pick me up and met us outside of our flat. (London-speak for apartment.) I was pretty tired after only sleeping about an hour on the flight so while he went to work, I showered and then went to sleep. The next day I walked over to the London Museum At the Docklands which isn't far from Phil's work. Very interesting! It covered the history of London from the Roman times all the way till today. We had dinner with one of Phil's work colleagues and his wife. Love my fish and chips. Did find out that the Black Pudding that Michael was trying to get me to try (I know...he just doesn't know that I hardly ever try something new) is actually blobs of dried animal blood. I mean really...who eats that stuff? See...that's why I don't like to try new things.

The next morning Phil and I flew over to Paris where Phil had to work at the offices over there. On Friday while Phil worked, (I know...my life is so hard.) I walked over to the Grevin, a wax museum not far from our hotel. I have this thing for wax museums. Back in '06 when Phil and I first went to London for a quick vacation, the top thing on my list was Madame Tussaud's wax museum. I'm not sure why I like them but they fascinate me. This one was much smaller yet still interesting, but had lots of French people that I had no clue who they were. Still...a nice way to spend a few hours.

On Saturday we headed to the airport to pick up Phil's parents. They were coming for a week's vacation, half in Paris and then half in London. We showed them the famous sites of Paris and then we drove over to Disneyland Paris the next morning. My father-in-law is a big fan of Disneyworld so we knew he would enjoy this. And what may I add is worse than sweating up a storm at Disneyworld in the middle of humid June? How about Disneyland Paris in February when you're so cold that you can't stop shaking? We had a day of snow, (standing on Main Street you couldn't see the castle at the end of the road through all the snow.) and another day of cold rain. I would wear three layers under my coat including Phil's sweatshirt with hood and wrap a scarf around my face and neck under the hood. I looked like an Eastern European immigrant from the early 1900's but vanity goes out the window when you're so cold that you can't feel your fingers.

It was a fun trip, even though I couldn't ride most of the rides. And why not?? Well...Phil and I are very excited to announce that we are expecting a baby in September! I know...I'm still a bit stunned. I've been feeling pretty good, yet pretty tired. But not tired enough it would seem to say no to vacation. So...this Sunday we leave for a sunny, warm Caribbean cruise. Phil is so done with gray, rainy London that all he wanted was to go somewhere warm and where the sun was out. I'm hoping the motion of the boat doesn't make me feel sick, but at this point, I'd take the warm anywhere we can get it (as I look outside and see the 15 or so inches of snow still on the ground from last week's storm).

We're leaving from Ft. Lauderdale and then heading to San Juan, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts. Phil's looking forward to some diving. I'm looking forward to a deck chair in the sun with my name on it. I may sleep away this vacation but at least I'll be warm doing it.