You know the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”?  Well, in Megan and Mac’s flat, the saying is more “If it ain’t 100% broke, don’t fix it.”   Megan’s bike is a five speed bike, but only four speeds works.  Their toaster also only toasts on one side.  It pops up, then you have to flip the toast over and put it down again.  Both of these things do what they’re suppose to do, just not perfectly.

Seriously, though, these things all work just fine.  That’s how they’re doing their part to help keeping things out of the landfill (they call dumpsters “skips”).  Most people would go out and buy a new toaster.   But their toaster just toasted me a delicious bagel, and her bike has been getting me in and out of town!

I will admit that sometimes they take it a BIT too far.  I’ve been helping out around the house as I can, and I try to make my bed (which is a futon, out flat, on their living/dining room floor), and I do the dishes and vacuum while they’re at work.

After dinner/breakfast, their tiny kitchen gets quite dirty.  Here, it’s loaded with dirty dishes.

This is their ENTIRE kitchen.  And they both love to cook. :(  Bottom left white thing is their fridge!!!

I was doing dishes yesterday while they were at work, and when she came home, I said “Megan, I think it’s time to get a new sponge.”  And she looked at me, and said “Yeah?  Ok.  There are new ones under the sink.”  I stared at her.  Seriously? If there are new ones, why hadn’t they gotten one out?

They let their sponge get THIS bad (see comparison), and Megan needed ME to tell her to replace it.

That’s a bit too far for my sake.

On yesterday’s flight from NYC to London, the plane was only about 70% full.  The staff said that it was just an off day, but it made it awesome for most of us traveler’s, because we got to stretch out, and even lie down!  I was able to sprawl out on three seats, and actually fell asleep.  It was fantastic.

I took an earlier bus from London to Southampton, so Megan and Mac came to get me a bit earlier than midnight.  I met a nice chap on the coach, and he let me use his mobile.  He was very nice, and when the call didn’t go through, he said “Send her a text!”   He was saying he couldn’t wait to get home and have his last cup of tea, and I giggled, and said, “That is SO British!”  And he said, “It is, isn’t it?”  It was great.

After we got home, I unpacked my one mini suitcase that had loads of food in it.  I gave Megan all of her things that she had asked for, and gave Mac the Brew Fest t-shirt I got for him!  After unloading everything for Megan, I had an empty suitcase!  Then, we set up my bed, and rearranged the furniture a bit.  Megan and Mac’s flat is a disaster!  It is mostly Megan’s fault because she has a load of crap everywhere, and Mac keeps trying to get rid of a bunch of things.  I told Megan that I would help her clean up a bit, and she said “We can do a Clean Sweep!”  Clean Sweep is a TLC show where you take out EVERYTHING from the rooms that are cluttered, and put it on the lawn.  Then, you make three piles:  Keep, Toss, and Give Away.  You’re not allowed to have a ‘maybe’ pile - and usually the people only end up with 50% of their things!  Then, they have a huge yard sale, so they can pass on their crap to others.  I don’t think we’ll empty her house, but she has a lot of organizing to do.

My internal clock woke me up this morning at 7am, even though Boston time it was only 2am!  Megan and Mac are both at work, so they’ve left me here with my computer, a map, house keys, keys to Megan’s bike, and well wishes.  I’m still kinda tired, but after I wake up a bit, I’m going to grab the map, her bike, and my messenger bag and hit the streets!  Megan suggested that I ride over to the common to practice riding, and I said “yeah, cause I really need to practice riding a bike.”  And she agreed.  Then, I had to say “Megan.  I don’t need to practice riding a bike!”  She asked when the last time I rode was, and I told her that when Mike was here for the Longsjo, we were all riding our bikes around.  Sure, I wasn’t riding IN the Longsjo, but I don’t think I need practice riding a bike.  Megan said that I was free to “give it a go”, and just remember to ride on the left side of the road.  That won’t be too hard, because I’m used to running on the left side.

I’ll be sure to take photographs!

I leave for England bright and early tomorrow morning.  I have to be at the airport for 5am, because my flight leaves at 6am.  Somehow my 9am flight got moved to 6am, and instead of London, I’m now heading to NYC.  But that’s ok, cause I only have to be one hour early for a domestic flight, rather than two hours early for an international flight.

I’m debating whether or not to go to the midnight showing of Harry Potter tonight.  The pros:  I will get to hang out with Jessica, and get to dress up, PLUS see Harry Potter.  The cons:  I won’t get any sleep, and will have to try to get crappy sleep on the plane.  I will miss inflight movies because I will be trying to sleep.

I’m leaning towards not going - because getting 6 hours of good sleep is better than 6 hours of really crappy sleep in the middle of the day.  Plus, I can still dress up for the 7th movie.

This is not the first time I’ve been to England (many people have asked that) - I believe this is the third time.  I went and stayed at Megan’s old house, where she had many roommates, and then I was there last summer when she got married.  So I believe this is the third time.

I should be packing and getting ready - but I’m just spending time on the internet.  Now I’m going to make lunch and eat outside while reading.  I am 90% done packing, so that’s a good start.

That is my itinerary for my summer trip to England this summer.  Last August when I went, I blogged that I wasn’t there long enough.  Well, this trip is FOUR WEEKS long.  That’s plenty of time!  Megan and I are planning on going to Paris, and also to Belgium.  The only reason for Belgium is because I looked at a map of Europe and looked at what was physically close to England.  We could also go to the Netherlands, but I’ve already been there!

What else is awesome about this trip is my flight.  The other times I’ve been to England (three times now, I think), I always left at about 6pm, and got to England around 6am.  Everyone was just ready to start their day, and I was exhausted and wanted to go to bed.

This time, however, I leave at 9am, and get to England at 8:45.  I’ll probably arrive at Southampton (where Megan and Mac live) around 11:30 or so, which will be 6:30 my time.  Since I’ve been traveling all day, and probably had to wake up early, I’ll probably be ready for bed soon after I arrive.  Then, I will go to bed with everyone, and wake up refreshed with everyone.

Then, on the way home, I get to spend the afternoon not rushing to the airport, and perhaps can wander around London (or not, since I’ll have my luggage).  Then, I’ll arrive in Boston at 8:35, and home to Fitchburg by 10:30, where I will be exhausted, and again, going to bed with everyone else.  It is the perfect trip, time wise.

Before booking the flight, I asked my parents “Now, I don’t have anything to do this summer, right?  Nothing I’m going to miss?”  After all three of us decided that there was nothing we could think of this summer, I booked the flight!  $717, and my parents paid for it as my early graduation present!  Now, I just need to start saving up spending money so Megan and I can travel while I’m there.  I want to start doing more babysitting, and possibly more hours at Macy’s.  I also talked to Megan about babysitting for one of her friends in England while I’m there, to earn some pounds while I’m there.  I wish there was something I could do for part time work while I’m there, but I don’t think there is.

Now that I’ve booked my flight and I know when I’m going, Megan and I can start to book our trips very early.  That way we can save money!  I’m also going to get a young person’s rail card so that way I can save money on taking the rail.

I am soooo excited!  I also just found out that a family friend’s daughter (who is 15) is going to Europe and is going to be in London on July 15th.  On the 17th, they’re doing a Harry Potter tour.  I would LOVE to do that trip!  They’re going to look into seeing if I can do the trip too, and that way I can check up on the teen.  It’d be fun to see someone I know, PLUS, Harry Potter is my favorite.  If I don’t go with her, I will definitely do a tour some other time.

Their apartment is very small.  It has a living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.  There are two smallish hallways…. but they’re very tiny.  Here is the living room, which includes the futon where I will be sleeping.  I slept there last summer while I stayed at their house for their wedding.

That is the wine from their wedding, but this summer Mac and I will have our own awesome drinking collection.  Megan doesn’t drink so it will just be the two of us!

Hopefully it will be sunny, so we can wear sunglasses every day!

This looks a LOT like my electricity monster that I saw yesterday.

My favorite part is the rat.

Megan can do some pretty amazing things in Paint.

Sausage Minestrone soup was pretty good. It wasn’t fantastic, but it was good. It was a bit too spicy, so I’m going to cut the red pepper flakes in half, from 1/4 t to 1/8. I’m also going to add more pasta, because my dad and I felt there was too little. It was a nice dinner with Italian bread and a salad. The bread was store bought. I should look into making my own sometime, and do a soup and bread night like Megan used to do. Here is the recipe for the soup with my added changes. I think I liked the pasta e fagioli better, and that didn’t have meat in it.

Sausage Minestrone Soup

2 T Extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups water
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (10.5 oz) chicken broth
1 t dried basil leaves

1 t dried oregano leaves
1/8 t crushed red pepper
12 oz Italian turkey sausage, thoroughly browned
2/3 cup pasta – ditalini or small shells
1 (16 oz) cannellini beans, drained

Heat oil in large saucepan over med heat. Add onion and garlic cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water, tomatoes with liquid, broth, basil, oregano and crushed pepper. Bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, cut sausage crosswise into ½-inch slices. Cut each slice into quarters. Stir sausage, and pasta into soup; simmer 13 minutes or until pasta is tender. Add beans; cook until heated through.

__________

Speaking of Megan, she called me today, and we talked for a whole hour! I still miss her and I still wish that she and Mac would move home to the US. She said that Mac wouldn’t be able to get a job, but they could live near me, and he could help me run my garden and tend to the chickens! We would have our own little eco-community.

I spent a lot of time today looking at recipes to make later this week. I think I want to try a potato soup. It will be like a clam chowder, but without clams. They make a good one at Panera Bread that I enjoy. It’s the only one I’ve ever had. Monday night I have class, so I won’t be making anything. Wednesday night we’re going out to dinner with Bob and Gail for Gail’s birthday. That’s two days I don’t need to make dinner.

While talking to Megan, I mentioned to her that it seems like every single dinner they make is delicious. She is always writing on her blog about how wonderful their dinner was. I don’t understand how they can continuously cook fantastic meals. Megan explained it differently, and said that perhaps she just isn’t picky. Either way, I still find it amazing that they are able to cook meal after meal that she (and probably also Mac) find delicious. I thought the pot pie was delicious, but I don’t think that this soup was. I’d give it 3/5 stars. The pot pie gets 5/5!  Perhaps I should start rating all of my recipes like this.

I also need to get better at photographing my meals.  I should decorate my plate with fancy napkins, and decorate the food with fresh basil or parsley.  I also should not use my iPhone as my camera!  It makes the food look not-so-good.

Update (the next morning):  I tried my first hand at food photography!  I think they came out pretty damn good!  Muuuuuuch better than the iPhone.

This occurred years ago  (15 Sept 2006), but I just found it, and thought it was hilarious:

Megan: you’re not around, are you?
_____________
Auto response from Robin:
Ginger: Hey stud, where do you keep your wet ones? I need a shower!
Ned: Oh we’ve got a real shower, upstairs!
Ginger: Upstairs!? I hit the jackpot!
_________________

(a few minutes later)
Robin: I am around…. but as you can tell from my Simpsons-themed away message, I was in the shower
Megan: hi!
Megan: ohhhhhhhhh
Megan: I thought it just meant you were upstairs
Robin: oh…no
Robin: well, yes
Robin: both are true
Megan: yes
Megan: so are you upstairs still?
Robin: yes
Robin: but you’ll have to speak up, I’m wearing a towel
Megan: hahahahaha
Megan: you are AMAZING

I was reading in the Boston Globe today that living in the city is bad for your brain.  I guess that nature is very beneficial for the brain.  They’ve done studies that say that hospital patients do better when they can see trees from their window.

It says “While people have searched high and low for ways to improve cognitive performance, from doping themselves with Red Bull to redesigning the layout of offices, it appears that few of these treatments are as effective as taking a walk in a natural place.”

They even said that a long time ago, they realized this, and that is why Central Park is in the middle of New York City.  People need trees and nature.

This is why I think it would be absolutely wonderful to live in a tiny little house out in a field somewhere.

This house is only 681 square feet.  That’s pretty little.  It has two bedrooms, and is a little bigger than their teeny tiny houses, which are around 100-200 square feet.  I would want enough room to not feel claustrophobic, and also enough room to entertain for dinner.  I think the first floor would need to be an open layout for entertaining.  I would love to live in South Carolina, and grow my own fruits and vegetables.  I think these houses only cost about $20,000 to build (and $700 for the plans), so that’s a very tiny mortgage!  Also, I think I read that it’s only about $60 in heating and electricity bills.  Even if it is ten times that amount, $600 a year isn’t bad.  I would want a full size fridge, (or almost full size), because I know that Megan has a hard time with a mini dorm-size fridge in England.

If I had this house, and grew all my own food, I think I would only work as little as possible.  With my Mental Health degree, I could see patients two or three days a week, and the other days would be for my enjoyment only.  I think I’ve decided I’d like to live a very minimal life.  I know it’s very hard to believe, because I love shopping, and my Coach bags, and my iPhone.*  I would love to be able to live my days and do things that I enjoy.  I would knit, and I would write, and read.  I would cook fabulous meals, and run, and invite friends over, and drink wine, and eat cheese, and other wonderful things like that.

I think that I am very very worried that I will end up working at a job that I hate.  And I will wake up every morning not wanting to get out of bed; not wanting to go to work.  I figure with a mini house, and growing my own food, I won’t need a crappy job, because I won’t need that much money.  Maybe Megan and Mac (my sister and brother-in-law, who live in England) could live with me, and we’d live on a lot of land, and we’d each have our own mini house.  Megan and I could look into making organic things and selling them… either organic soaps and shampoos, or organic clothes.  We could have our own line, and money wouldn’t really matter, because we’d make anything we’d need.  We could work if we needed to, but what would be the point?  We’d have food, and a house with no mortgage, it would be awesome!

Thinking about that sounds absolutely fabulous, and it makes me wonder why more people don’t do something like this.  Is it because land you can grow on is super expensive?  Maybe we could live somewhere inexpensive, but still warm enough where we could grow things all year round - like Alabama or Tennessee.  We’d have our own land and our own community, so it wouldn’t be like we were really in Alabama, because we wouldn’t be going to the Piggly Wiggly or Billy Bob’s Country Cookin’.  We could still have cell phones and internet, but a TV wouldn’t be necessary (I’m going with Megan on this one - when I get my own place, I don’t want a TV).  We’d also need a good local library, because with a mini house, we wouldn’t have much room to keep our books.  I would say e-books would be good, but I’m reading the final Twilight installment as a PDF document, and it’s a huge pain in the ass.  I’m just clicking the down arrow constantly, and the clicking noise is driving me insane.

You know what else I would have with my tiny house?  Cats.  And a hammock.  Hammocks are wonderful.

I could go on for hours about how awesome this mini house idea is, but I have to go to the gym.  Then, I need to come home and help around the house.  My mom is being really wonderful, and is just letting me lounge around all day without saying anything.  I’m taking some well deserved time off, but I need to get my butt in motion and help out for the second half of the day.

*This past summer, I walked to the local farmers market, and I brought my Chico Bag with me, and I was being very eco, and was buying fresh produce, and supporting the local farmers, and I was walking!  But as I was walking home, I realized that I was listening to my iPhone and carrying a Coach purse.  It was quite the contradiction.  But, I was able to take this beautiful pictures with my phone, and I only noticed it because I was walking:

Today was a beautiful day in England (more about that, later, when I’m able to post pictures)…. and tomorrow is the reception for Megan’s wedding. It is suppose to rain super hard tomorrow. That blows.

Today, we went to the grocery store and bought a bunch of groceries for the party. Everyone is bringing stuff, but they decided it was mostly salads, so they needed more main course items. They bought frozen pizzas, and because they have a small little mini fridge, we had to bake them today, and them we just wrapped them in aluminum foil, and then we will re-heat them tomorrow. Megan thought that maybe we could store the pizzas in the bathtub with ice to keep them chilled, but they decided baking them was the best decision. Then, Mac came home with 18 bottles of wine, and he was like “How are we going to chill it???” And I said “you can just chill it tomorrow when you chill the soda… it only will need to chill in ice for about an hour.” But he thought that it had to chill forever (over night, at least). He started to fill the bathtub up with cold water (I don’t know what is up with them using their bathtub as a faux-freezer…. they just need to get a regular sized fridge! Problem solved.) But then he wondered “How will I chill the bottles without the labels coming off?” So I insisted that he did NOT have to chill them overnight. He didn’t believe me, so then he looked it up on the Internet, and came to the conclusion that “Americans are crazy, because they say wine only needs to be chilled for one hour.” Told you so!! Then, because he had a bathtub filled with cold water, he decided to soak his feet in it, because he didn’t want to waste the water.

Then, he took some outside and watered plants with it, as to not waste it again.

But its going to rain tomorrow, so the plants didn’t really need to be watered.

Oh, and they don’t have a back up plan for it raining. And the reception is planned out in a park. With no tent, or no cover-up. Fuuuuuuuuuun.

In Britain, it’s usually cloudy and dull pretty much every day. We experienced that weather the first few days. It was very chilly for being August - mid 60s maybe? It was definitely long pants and sweater weather! After being in the south west where it was sunny and hot nearly everyday, plus being at a high elevation where the sun seemed hotter anyway, it was a definite change I was not prepared for, nor enjoyed.

But when it DOES get sunny, the British go a bit bonkers. It happened to be really sunny on Saturday, and all morning Mac kept saying “let’s go outside!!!” He didn’t want to do anything; just stand outside. For him, it was important just to be outside and to soak up the sun’s rays. Meg and I were eating lunch, and I looked out and saw Mac just standing in the yard. Then when we walked into town, we made sure to walk on the side of the street that the sun was shining on.

I guess when British people don’t get much sun, they sure feel that it’s important to throughly enjoy it when it’s around.