Bagged two today, spiders that is!
We had a very pleasant week end. Saturday morning we hustled around and cleaned the house and did the wash. After feeding Beth (now 5 months old) at noon we headed for Upwood - an R.A.F. station (base) where they were having an Air Show in Commemoration of Battle of Britain Day. I had never really heard the story of the Battle of Britain and it shocked me into realizing the courage of the British people, especially of those R.A.F. pilots that fought in this battle which lasted for months. The enemy forces were often ten times greater, and yet these pilots just stuck to it and somehow beat the Germans. It's truly amazing. Each year now they have a Battle of Britain Day with bases having open house and usually with an air show. The proceeds go to their benevolent fund. The show they put on at Upwood was fabulous.l They had all sorts of planes - jets, bombers, training planes, helicopters, gliders, and they all participated. Of course there were acrobatics - the likes of which I have never seen. We really enjoyed this.
In the evenings now we have been having a fire in the fireplace. It has be so nice. We usually pull the couch right up in front of it and sit and enjoy the warmth.
Yesterday afternoon we visited the castle where Cromwell lived. It is right in Huntingdon where he was born and raised. We had hoped to get inside, but it seems the man that owns the castle couldn't pay his debts and was taken away. This was the story given us by some children at the gate. How true it was I have no idea, but the castle was closed so we will have to wait I guess - until Mr. so and so pays his debts!
I have finally remembered to mention about the Automobile Club. There are two of them here in England - the Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Association. For next to nothing they chart trips, make reservations, take care of your insurance and have free legal services when needed, plus maintain oodles of telephone boxes along the main routes to call from in case of trouble. Each member gets his own little key to open these booths. But what gets me, they have their little men travelling around the country - all in uniform with crash helmets on motorcycles with a side car. you see them all over and when they spot an A.A. emblem (which we have) they salute you. It amuses me each time it happens. Their courtesy and unending aid is well known, and I saw a cartoon in PUNCH the other day where a woman had veered way over to one side of the road on a turn and sideswiped one of those poor little A.A. men - and there he was bruised, tattered and torn - fixing hr car for her as she was an A.A. member.
Beth is really a sketch. I jut looked at her and she gave me the widest grin with her two little lower teeth showing. She is so precious, but I'm afraid she is going to be a little minx. She has learned to blow out now and just loves to do it all the time - especially with food in her mouth. And I swear she is going to climb out of her bassinette shortly. She gets way up on her hands and knees with her little head way up over the side taking everything in. We have cut out her eleven o'clock bottle, and she has been sleeping through much to our pleasure, as we can get to bed a bit earlier now.
10/14/2006
T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Friday) (pg 9)
Even though that makes it friday the thirteenth. I don't believe any day could have been worse than yesterday. Perhaps my bad luck was just early.
Since it rained the early part of the week, I really had loads of wash to do, so yesterday I decided rain or not I had to wash. I had two loads done and heard Beth screaming - not just a complaining scream but a hurt one, and I found she had a big bump on her head ... must have banged it some way. I comforted her and put cold compresses on it, but it sure took off many days of life and gave me more gray hairs. I had put a cade in the oven since Dick was bringing home Captain Hill from the base for dinner, and in the excitement I forgot about that - one ruined cake. (I iced it anyway with crummy icing, so all and all, it was a good example of how not to bake!) On top of this Snoopy forgot herself and did a "mess" in the dining room. Well, I got the wash out and at this point I Beth crying - just complaining though. I hustled in and settled her and I happened to look out the window. What I saw was enough to make me just plain cry. Snoopy was chasing all over the lawn with pieces of my laundry! It was strewn all over the garden, plus the clothespins. By that time I just had had enough. I don't know how I gathered myself together, but I did and rewashed the clothes.
Actually from then on things went along smoothly. We had a very pleasant dinner and evening.
Rinnie (English girl married to one of the boys on the base) told me that after we had been here about a month, the local people would come and call. Last night we had our first visitor... a Mr. Hopkins, and what a character. I never knew the British had such a sense of humor. He had a scotch with us and kept mein stitches the whole time. He has two children, a little girl of two and a baby girl just three months old. He said his wife would come and visit me soon. I hope so. I asked him about the spidres around here (forever on my mind) and he said that there was just no way to get rid of them. He said their's were so big you could hear them stepping on the boards! Well at least I know of someone else who thinks they're big. And for the cobwebs, he said they used them for decorative purposes - "Very pretty with the candles beneath them".
Jim Frost and I finally have reached the stage where we can understand one another. You know I found how what a lot of the difficulty was. Jim has no teeth and he stutters a bit. Usually when he has finished the chores here, he say, "Well, I'm going up top now." It took me a while, but now I know he means he's going to bed.
Since it rained the early part of the week, I really had loads of wash to do, so yesterday I decided rain or not I had to wash. I had two loads done and heard Beth screaming - not just a complaining scream but a hurt one, and I found she had a big bump on her head ... must have banged it some way. I comforted her and put cold compresses on it, but it sure took off many days of life and gave me more gray hairs. I had put a cade in the oven since Dick was bringing home Captain Hill from the base for dinner, and in the excitement I forgot about that - one ruined cake. (I iced it anyway with crummy icing, so all and all, it was a good example of how not to bake!) On top of this Snoopy forgot herself and did a "mess" in the dining room. Well, I got the wash out and at this point I Beth crying - just complaining though. I hustled in and settled her and I happened to look out the window. What I saw was enough to make me just plain cry. Snoopy was chasing all over the lawn with pieces of my laundry! It was strewn all over the garden, plus the clothespins. By that time I just had had enough. I don't know how I gathered myself together, but I did and rewashed the clothes.
Actually from then on things went along smoothly. We had a very pleasant dinner and evening.
Rinnie (English girl married to one of the boys on the base) told me that after we had been here about a month, the local people would come and call. Last night we had our first visitor... a Mr. Hopkins, and what a character. I never knew the British had such a sense of humor. He had a scotch with us and kept mein stitches the whole time. He has two children, a little girl of two and a baby girl just three months old. He said his wife would come and visit me soon. I hope so. I asked him about the spidres around here (forever on my mind) and he said that there was just no way to get rid of them. He said their's were so big you could hear them stepping on the boards! Well at least I know of someone else who thinks they're big. And for the cobwebs, he said they used them for decorative purposes - "Very pretty with the candles beneath them".
Jim Frost and I finally have reached the stage where we can understand one another. You know I found how what a lot of the difficulty was. Jim has no teeth and he stutters a bit. Usually when he has finished the chores here, he say, "Well, I'm going up top now." It took me a while, but now I know he means he's going to bed.
Jim Frost (pg 8)
Have been trying to catch up on my washing and ironing these past few days, as I really got behind while the transformer was on the blnk. Dick bought a new one and fixed the old, so we shouldn't have that trouble again. I ironed all day yesterday, and today I had hoped to do some wash, but it is raining, so I have been cleaning. Just finished cleaning out the fireplace and scrubbing it. Thought I'd take time out and relax with some words with you.
Saturdays seem so hectic here. Since the transformer "died," we had to go to the base. It takes so much time to go there, and it was three o'clock before we got back home, having left at ten. Then we had to go to Cambridge to do some shopping. We ate late again and by the time we had done the dishes and read a bit, it was time to feed Beth and go to bed.
Sunday we went to 10:45 mass, and this time I had to take Beth out. Dick and I take turns. After putting out a load of wash, I prepared a pot roast for dinner (my first). Steve Jones came for dinner - poor boy - and became another of my guinea pigs.
Monday morning I decided I couldn't bear my hairdo one minute longer and I called a hairdresser in Cambridge recommended to me and was lucky enough to get an appointment for that morning. Oh - it was heaven to have it cut again. I really was beginning to despair. And I was quite pleased with the results. Can you imagine having your hair styled, washed and set for $1.96? It seemed fantastic to me.
O-ooh, Snoopy just settled herself at my feet, and I'm afraid she's been into something. She smells to high heaven. Time out now to spray her with something. Back again. Tried Florient. She didn't like it, but it did seem to cover up the other. As soon as we get another nie day, I think I will wash her. She is so filthy looking at this point.
I must tell you about Jim Frost. I was paying him for the Sunday papers and I came across some dimes, nickels, and pennies that I have. I showed them to him and he seemed so interested, I gave him some. Why you'd think I gave him solid gold. He was so tickled and was going to show his relatives, etc. The people here seem to have so little, and yet are content with it.
Dick is flying late again tonight, and I don't expect him until about ten o'clock. This is the third night he has been late this week. I do wish he didn't have to fly so much. I guess I still have a lot of learning regarding the Air Force life. I was spoiled at Stead.
We have inquired in town regarding a baby sitter and someone to help with the house and have had no luck. At the present we are considering the idea of having a young girl live in to help with the baby and the house. We saw an advertisement in the Cambridge the other day where a young Danish student wanted part-time work such as we would have. If we can't find one here in Fulbourn, we will probably advertise for one.
Beth is in my lap now and she is really making typing difficult with her little fingers all over the keys and typewriter. She's still the busybody, wanting to be into everything.
Saturdays seem so hectic here. Since the transformer "died," we had to go to the base. It takes so much time to go there, and it was three o'clock before we got back home, having left at ten. Then we had to go to Cambridge to do some shopping. We ate late again and by the time we had done the dishes and read a bit, it was time to feed Beth and go to bed.
Sunday we went to 10:45 mass, and this time I had to take Beth out. Dick and I take turns. After putting out a load of wash, I prepared a pot roast for dinner (my first). Steve Jones came for dinner - poor boy - and became another of my guinea pigs.
Monday morning I decided I couldn't bear my hairdo one minute longer and I called a hairdresser in Cambridge recommended to me and was lucky enough to get an appointment for that morning. Oh - it was heaven to have it cut again. I really was beginning to despair. And I was quite pleased with the results. Can you imagine having your hair styled, washed and set for $1.96? It seemed fantastic to me.
O-ooh, Snoopy just settled herself at my feet, and I'm afraid she's been into something. She smells to high heaven. Time out now to spray her with something. Back again. Tried Florient. She didn't like it, but it did seem to cover up the other. As soon as we get another nie day, I think I will wash her. She is so filthy looking at this point.
I must tell you about Jim Frost. I was paying him for the Sunday papers and I came across some dimes, nickels, and pennies that I have. I showed them to him and he seemed so interested, I gave him some. Why you'd think I gave him solid gold. He was so tickled and was going to show his relatives, etc. The people here seem to have so little, and yet are content with it.
Dick is flying late again tonight, and I don't expect him until about ten o'clock. This is the third night he has been late this week. I do wish he didn't have to fly so much. I guess I still have a lot of learning regarding the Air Force life. I was spoiled at Stead.
We have inquired in town regarding a baby sitter and someone to help with the house and have had no luck. At the present we are considering the idea of having a young girl live in to help with the baby and the house. We saw an advertisement in the Cambridge the other day where a young Danish student wanted part-time work such as we would have. If we can't find one here in Fulbourn, we will probably advertise for one.
Beth is in my lap now and she is really making typing difficult with her little fingers all over the keys and typewriter. She's still the busybody, wanting to be into everything.
Spiders, Beth and eating habits (pg7)
Beth is sitting beside me in the big chair as I type this, and I can't help but think she's adorable When I look at her and say "I love you," her little face brightens and her eyes crinkle with a big smile. She has grown so - even since arriving here. She plays with all her toys now, banging them about and chewing on them ... and she has reached the stage too where she plays with her bottle when we near the end and her tummy is full. She pulls it in and out and gnaws on the nipple rather than suck. And she gibbers now to me and Snoopy - saying, "Ooh" a lot. She is still rocking on her knees back and forth, but any day now I expect her to start crawling in earnest. From all indications our little Beth is going to be a gadabout. She does not like to stay still.
I took Beth out for a walk in the carriage. I made a mistake in taking Snoopy - although I didn't want to leave her home alone, as that's asking for trouble. Each time we've left her, she has gotten even by chewing on magazines or knocking over flower bowls. At any rate, Snoopy really had me all tied up - walking in front of the carriage, going around trees, so I would have to follow with the leash and finally by mistake I ran over her paw. Next time I will just have to clear the sunroom and lock her in there.
Last night I had another session with a big spider. DEick thinks I'm crazy, but I can't bear them. We have low ceilings and while talking on the phone I happened to look up and there was one of these big ones. I'm afraid I screeched in the phone as it seemed so close. I wonder if there is anyway of getting rid of them. We've sprayed, but they still are around.
We have really been putting our little charcoal grill to use. Steaks, chops, and hamburgers taste so much better cooked on it, and we take advantage of it as much as possible. Dick has brought some of the boys home for dinner, and you really can't go wrong on the grill, and too, it saves me work... Dick cooks the meat!
Did I mention how late we have been eating? I feed Beth at six, and she usually is in bed by seven. By the time we have a cocktail before dinner and have everything set it's eight o'clock and one night when Dick got home late from flying it was ten! However, I hope to get it down to a regular time of seven o'clock as it is nice to have some of the evening to relax.
Was I ever shocked when I first listened to the radio here. They have no qualms about cursing and swearing. It really seemed strange. One thing I do enjoy is the lack of commercials. B.B.C.just doesn't have them, and that is what we get the strongests. I do enjoy their concert hour which they have everyday, and I do get one soap-box story.
I just put Beth on the floor on some blankets and she really is enjoying herself. She's as happy as a lark, on her tummy and drooling like crazy with her legs going a mile a minute. Think I'll go and play with her a while.
I took Beth out for a walk in the carriage. I made a mistake in taking Snoopy - although I didn't want to leave her home alone, as that's asking for trouble. Each time we've left her, she has gotten even by chewing on magazines or knocking over flower bowls. At any rate, Snoopy really had me all tied up - walking in front of the carriage, going around trees, so I would have to follow with the leash and finally by mistake I ran over her paw. Next time I will just have to clear the sunroom and lock her in there.
Last night I had another session with a big spider. DEick thinks I'm crazy, but I can't bear them. We have low ceilings and while talking on the phone I happened to look up and there was one of these big ones. I'm afraid I screeched in the phone as it seemed so close. I wonder if there is anyway of getting rid of them. We've sprayed, but they still are around.
We have really been putting our little charcoal grill to use. Steaks, chops, and hamburgers taste so much better cooked on it, and we take advantage of it as much as possible. Dick has brought some of the boys home for dinner, and you really can't go wrong on the grill, and too, it saves me work... Dick cooks the meat!
Did I mention how late we have been eating? I feed Beth at six, and she usually is in bed by seven. By the time we have a cocktail before dinner and have everything set it's eight o'clock and one night when Dick got home late from flying it was ten! However, I hope to get it down to a regular time of seven o'clock as it is nice to have some of the evening to relax.
Was I ever shocked when I first listened to the radio here. They have no qualms about cursing and swearing. It really seemed strange. One thing I do enjoy is the lack of commercials. B.B.C.just doesn't have them, and that is what we get the strongests. I do enjoy their concert hour which they have everyday, and I do get one soap-box story.
I just put Beth on the floor on some blankets and she really is enjoying herself. She's as happy as a lark, on her tummy and drooling like crazy with her legs going a mile a minute. Think I'll go and play with her a while.
10/13/2006
Dinner at the Elms (pg6)
And this is the third installment of JJ (Janie's Journal)
All I can say is time is fleet-footed. I can hardly keep up with myself.
Since we hadn't been shopping for some time, Dick and I headed for the base to pick up the pay check and visit the commissary. Pay day and saturday is a bad combination and certainly can create havoc at the base. I've never seen such crowds, and we had to wait on long lines everywhere. Never again.
Saturday night we treated ourselves to a dinner out at the Elms. Dick found a baby sitter in Huntingdon, and we left Beth with her while we wined and dined. I enjoyed the treat, but of course worried about our little girl the whole time. I am too used to being with her constantly.
Sunday we went to our very first cricket match. Fulbourn played Teversham for the local cup. I had a hard time following the game, but enjoyed seeing it. Matches go on for days and days sometimes, and to me it would get boring, but the people here love it and support their local teams enthusiastically. By the way, Fulborn won the cup.
Beth's two lower teeth are through in earnest now and she seems particularly anxious to put everything in her mouth to soothe them... and the uppers that look a bit swollen. She is progressing rapidly now. This morning I found her on her knees, rocking back and forth. Before long this little one will be on the move!
So often now I have caught Dick in Beth's room looking down with so much love on his daughter. Of course, I myself can't resist a peek at our little angel every time I pass her room. I think she's a cherub at any time, but when she's asleep, she looks particularly sweet and innocent.
I believe I have finally conquered the money situation here. The English system really had me baffled, but I'm catching on. However, with the M.P.C.'s (Military Payment Certificates) we have to use on the base, and the pounds, shillings, half crowns, florins, pennies, etc. of England, and my leftover dollars, dimes, nickels and pennies of the United States, I really have a conglomeration of monies.
Beth seems to have taken a definite dislike to Church. After about five or ten minutes Dick has to march out with her. She can really give the priest a bad time.
Snoopy still isn't in my good graces. You'd think she were teething the way she chews on everything - from coke or coal to my shoes. She has taken a particular fancy to the latter, and I really have to be careful about putting them down on the floor. One ruined pair is enough to keep my wary.
All I can say is time is fleet-footed. I can hardly keep up with myself.
Since we hadn't been shopping for some time, Dick and I headed for the base to pick up the pay check and visit the commissary. Pay day and saturday is a bad combination and certainly can create havoc at the base. I've never seen such crowds, and we had to wait on long lines everywhere. Never again.
Saturday night we treated ourselves to a dinner out at the Elms. Dick found a baby sitter in Huntingdon, and we left Beth with her while we wined and dined. I enjoyed the treat, but of course worried about our little girl the whole time. I am too used to being with her constantly.
Sunday we went to our very first cricket match. Fulbourn played Teversham for the local cup. I had a hard time following the game, but enjoyed seeing it. Matches go on for days and days sometimes, and to me it would get boring, but the people here love it and support their local teams enthusiastically. By the way, Fulborn won the cup.
Beth's two lower teeth are through in earnest now and she seems particularly anxious to put everything in her mouth to soothe them... and the uppers that look a bit swollen. She is progressing rapidly now. This morning I found her on her knees, rocking back and forth. Before long this little one will be on the move!
So often now I have caught Dick in Beth's room looking down with so much love on his daughter. Of course, I myself can't resist a peek at our little angel every time I pass her room. I think she's a cherub at any time, but when she's asleep, she looks particularly sweet and innocent.
I believe I have finally conquered the money situation here. The English system really had me baffled, but I'm catching on. However, with the M.P.C.'s (Military Payment Certificates) we have to use on the base, and the pounds, shillings, half crowns, florins, pennies, etc. of England, and my leftover dollars, dimes, nickels and pennies of the United States, I really have a conglomeration of monies.
Beth seems to have taken a definite dislike to Church. After about five or ten minutes Dick has to march out with her. She can really give the priest a bad time.
Snoopy still isn't in my good graces. You'd think she were teething the way she chews on everything - from coke or coal to my shoes. She has taken a particular fancy to the latter, and I really have to be careful about putting them down on the floor. One ruined pair is enough to keep my wary.
10/12/2006
Cynthia Enloe Visits (pg5)
I keep telling myself that I shouldn't be so fussy about the house. This place is really hard to keep clean. Between the soot, the cobwebs, dust, and Snoopy, I'm on the go all day, and it seems I just get one spot clean and there are two more places a mess. I have finally given up on the french doors in the sunroom. When Snoopy wants to come in from the garden, she jumps on the doors with her muddy paws. I would right behind her with Windex, but now I have just reconciled mysellf to it and the fact that I'll clean it all up when she leaves. Talking about Snoopy, right now I am not too happy with her. Last night she chewed up one of my new black patent leather shoes. And the night before she woke us up at four in the morning to take her out! This companionship stuff is getting costly.
Monday evening August 26th, Cynthia Enloe from Manhasset called from London. She has been living in Germany this summer. She was part of a group from the Experiment in International Living. She lived with a family in Germany and found it really fascinating. We invited her up for a day and since Dick wouldn't be back until late wednesday, we decided on thursday. Cyn arrived at 11:30; we had a rush-rush lunch at home and then went into Cambridge to view the university. We went first to King's College. We waled around the grounds and watched the people punting on the river (punting is a form of boating - done in a sort of flat bottomed boat with a stick to push yourself along.) We went inside the chapel and it was magnificent. I wish I could really describe it, but it's impossible. I can only say it was immense and beautiful. We then went to Trinity College, founded in 1546 by King Henry VIIIl We saw where Isaac Newton worked out the proofs of his great scientific discoveries, where Thackeray lived and Lord Macaulay. The chapel here - different in its architecture from the one of King's College, but beautiful too in its own right. We also visited the dining hall, which is used today. What a contrast in elaborateness and plainess. All around the hall are truly great portaits of famous Trinity men - one in particular done by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The interior ceililngs and walls are beautifully carved, etc., and then amidst all this beauty are horrible plank board tables and benches. However, I guess it must be this way because of its use by students who might be tempted to ruin any decent furniture.
Since Cynthia had to catch a plane at 7 o'clock from London, and it was after three, we decided we had better head home. I made sandwiches and then Dick and she left. I am afraid Cyn's visit was a rather hectic one, but I do hope she enjoyed it.
Today seemed one of those bad days. Water dumped all over the floor when the wringer attachement that sends the water back into the tub was the other way. The bottom of the big box of Tide fell apart and dumped a load soap on my newly washed and waxed floor. Beth threw up on me. I wonder what's next!
Monday evening August 26th, Cynthia Enloe from Manhasset called from London. She has been living in Germany this summer. She was part of a group from the Experiment in International Living. She lived with a family in Germany and found it really fascinating. We invited her up for a day and since Dick wouldn't be back until late wednesday, we decided on thursday. Cyn arrived at 11:30; we had a rush-rush lunch at home and then went into Cambridge to view the university. We went first to King's College. We waled around the grounds and watched the people punting on the river (punting is a form of boating - done in a sort of flat bottomed boat with a stick to push yourself along.) We went inside the chapel and it was magnificent. I wish I could really describe it, but it's impossible. I can only say it was immense and beautiful. We then went to Trinity College, founded in 1546 by King Henry VIIIl We saw where Isaac Newton worked out the proofs of his great scientific discoveries, where Thackeray lived and Lord Macaulay. The chapel here - different in its architecture from the one of King's College, but beautiful too in its own right. We also visited the dining hall, which is used today. What a contrast in elaborateness and plainess. All around the hall are truly great portaits of famous Trinity men - one in particular done by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The interior ceililngs and walls are beautifully carved, etc., and then amidst all this beauty are horrible plank board tables and benches. However, I guess it must be this way because of its use by students who might be tempted to ruin any decent furniture.
Since Cynthia had to catch a plane at 7 o'clock from London, and it was after three, we decided we had better head home. I made sandwiches and then Dick and she left. I am afraid Cyn's visit was a rather hectic one, but I do hope she enjoyed it.
Today seemed one of those bad days. Water dumped all over the floor when the wringer attachement that sends the water back into the tub was the other way. The bottom of the big box of Tide fell apart and dumped a load soap on my newly washed and waxed floor. Beth threw up on me. I wonder what's next!
10/11/2006
Odd and Ends (pg4)
Another week has passed, one quite full of events. Sunday afternoon Dick and I bundled ourselves and the baby into the car and drove around a bit. Of course we ended up in Cambridge - It's so nice on Sunday when there are few cars about. As we drove through the narrow little streets, we happened to spot a shop with all sorts of odds and ends in the window and stopped to look. It was a small dingy place with everything covered with dust and dirt. However, there was a little old lady inside cleaning up and we knocked on the window and asked if we could come in. She said, "yes" and we squeezed in. With three in the tiny room, it was really crowded. We stood in one spot (couldn't move) and eyed the many items there. Before we left we bought a so-called bronze bust of a lady for $2.80 and a sundial for $5. I know she probably uppped the price when she saw we were Americans, but we just couldn't resist. We should really have quire a collection of curios by the time we return to the States.
Dick left late Sunday afternoon to return to school in Sculthorpe. This the last week, and am I ever thankful. I do get lonely here without him.
I can'tell you how thankful I am for Snoopy in spite of all the trouble she causes me. I believe I have her pretty nearly house broken. I go out with her in the morning between 5:45 and 6 o'oclock and when she does her duty I make such a big to-do about it, and she's tickled pink. I take her out regularly through the day, and for the past four days, she hasn't done anything inside. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but back to her dog personality. She is like my shadow, following me constantly upstairs and downstairs from chair to chair. She can't get close enough. At night she sleeps at the side of the bed. (She has attempted to sleep on the bed with me, but I put an early end that!) The other evening I was ironing and she was perched on my feet. I roned a sleeveless blouse along the way and once I looked down and here was Snoopy's face through the armhole. Honest, she is so cute, and I'm afraid I am going to miss her very much when she leaves.
The other night we had a storm of gale-like proportions. I thought the house was going to blow apart, but when I woke in the morning, it was still standing around us.
I mentioned this house was full of charm. It is also full of spiders! They range from the small harmless ones to the giant (Texas born I'd say) ones that look as though they could really bite. I never used to be afraid of spiders, but when these big things come scurrying along and literally stare at you with defiance (Dick would call this exaggeration), you aren't happy. At least I'm not! The other night I started up the stairs and there were two of them giving me that look! I grabbed the broom and with heart pounding whammed the tow of them and continued to do so until there was just nothing left. Now when I walk I really look before stepping. You never know where they'll be.
Dick left late Sunday afternoon to return to school in Sculthorpe. This the last week, and am I ever thankful. I do get lonely here without him.
I can'tell you how thankful I am for Snoopy in spite of all the trouble she causes me. I believe I have her pretty nearly house broken. I go out with her in the morning between 5:45 and 6 o'oclock and when she does her duty I make such a big to-do about it, and she's tickled pink. I take her out regularly through the day, and for the past four days, she hasn't done anything inside. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but back to her dog personality. She is like my shadow, following me constantly upstairs and downstairs from chair to chair. She can't get close enough. At night she sleeps at the side of the bed. (She has attempted to sleep on the bed with me, but I put an early end that!) The other evening I was ironing and she was perched on my feet. I roned a sleeveless blouse along the way and once I looked down and here was Snoopy's face through the armhole. Honest, she is so cute, and I'm afraid I am going to miss her very much when she leaves.
The other night we had a storm of gale-like proportions. I thought the house was going to blow apart, but when I woke in the morning, it was still standing around us.
I mentioned this house was full of charm. It is also full of spiders! They range from the small harmless ones to the giant (Texas born I'd say) ones that look as though they could really bite. I never used to be afraid of spiders, but when these big things come scurrying along and literally stare at you with defiance (Dick would call this exaggeration), you aren't happy. At least I'm not! The other night I started up the stairs and there were two of them giving me that look! I grabbed the broom and with heart pounding whammed the tow of them and continued to do so until there was just nothing left. Now when I walk I really look before stepping. You never know where they'll be.
10/10/2006
Burtonwood England - Aug 1957 (pg1-3)
Beth's and my departure from Maguire Air Force Base was a sad one, and yet we had so much to look forward to...We were headed for England to meet Daddy.
Our first stop on the way was Goose Bay, Labrador, where we refueled for our trip across the "big pond: as the Atlantic is called. We left Goose Bay around 10 o'clock and whirred our way through the night. Beth snuggled in her little Bassinette, and I made myself as comfortable as possible, with thoughts racing through my mind a mile a minute - of what England would be like, our new home, the people we would meet, and especially of seeing Dick.
We arrived in Burtonwood, England, at noon time (their time), exhausted and really travel worn. We went through customs quickly, and I was getting anxious when I didn't see Dick. We were all hustled off bag and baggage to Croft - a receiving center about 12 miles from the field, and my hopes were high that Dick would be there, but no luck. Beth and I were placed in a barracks-type room (dungeon) while they tried to locate Dick. At 4 o'clock I received a call from Alconbury - our base. Dick was in Germany on a cross-country. They hadn't received the cable until after I had arrived! My heart dropped, but they said Dick was expected back that night, and as soon as he came in they would have him flown up in a jet. Beth and I made ourselves comfortable for a long wait. At around midnight he arrived, and we were so happy. Since nothing was ready at the house, etc., we stayed at Croft two days. We visited the town of Warrington nearby, and I had my first taste of English roads, cars, and drivers. Near collisioins kept me with my eyes closed most of the time. On Wednesday we gathered ourselves together for the trip to Rugby where we were to be met and brought to Alconburg. We took a train from Warrington to Rugby vie Crewe - with waits here and there. The train was quaint with little separate compartments. As we chugged along I noticed many children along the way - all with little notebooks notating like crazy. I guess they were making up their own timetables! When we arrived in Rugby no one was there, and after calling the base, we found that they hadn't left yet. With one bottle left for Beth, I was a bit frantic, but luckily she held out beautifully. While waiting in the station we had our first unpleasant experience. A very drunken man approached us and sat with us. His first statement was that he didn't like Americans and from then on he blasted us for about fifteen minutes - which seemed like an hour. We finally retreated gracefully, but it was a nightmareish experience.
Our trip to Alconbury was uneventful - except of course for those close calls with the car, and we were greeted by the Mattsons - where we had dinner. Since our things had been delivered to our home in Fulbourn, I refused to stay anywhere else. I had looked forward so much to this, and I couldn't be deterred.
My first impression of the house was really something and hard to describe - as is the house. Built in 1667, it really is loaded with charm. The entire interior is done in white plaster with rough hewn beams showing everywhere. I will take through the house and attempt a blow-by-blow description.
As you enter the house you come into the foyer where a huge animal skin rug hangs on the opposite wall with assorted small animals attached. The front windows here are stained glass, and the floor is done in a black and white (now really brown) diamond shaped stone pattern. The floor is covered with a persian rug, and among the items here are a rhinocerous tail fly swatter, an African shield made from some animal's skin, and even a huge brass dinner gong. To the left and right are doors entering the living room on the left and the dining room on the right. Let's take the living room. The main attraction is a monstrous fire place about seven feet long and four feet deep ... furnished with an old bellows, some three legged milking stools, a copper kettle to hold the wood, and a brass fire screen. The floor is covered with a huge patterned rug with another hearth rug in front of the fireplace. There are two big chairs and a large sofa - all covered with flowered print slip covers. I have my writing desk, a corner cabinet, and several odd tables. Our only addition to this room is the beautiful Hi-fi set Dick bought for us, and which amazingly fits in very well.
The dining room also has a large fireplace, a huge table (massive), a Rosewood grand piano, a sideboard, a tea cart, which we have transformed into a bar, and several chairs.
Oh - off the living room is our darling sun room You pass through French doors to enter. The entire room - ceiling et all is done in glass, and when the sun shines it really is nice. It looks out on the garden which can be approached also through french doors.
Our kitchen is furnished fairly well with an electric stove, a coal stove to hea the water, a lovely all stainless steel sink, a refridgerator, table and chairs, and quite a bit of cupboard space. i have been cooking on the coal stove, although every time I start to prepare dinner it seems as though the stove isn't warm enough or too warm. It has proved interesting, although not very conducive to good cooking!
On one side of the kitchen there is a set of stairs leading to a room sealed off, and I swear that's where our house "ghost" resides. On the other side of the kitchen there is a door leading to the rear lobby from which the stairs go. We have three bedrooms, and separate rooms for bath and basin, and the "john". Upstairs the floors are really old and worn, and it's like travelling hill and dale when you walk along. We spent our first days in the house attempting to settle ourselves - still trying!
And I met Jim Frost my first Fulbournite. Jim takes cre of our garbage, coal, garden, etc. I have much fun trying to decipher what he says, and I believe he's suffering in the same way, since the other day I said, "So long" and he replied, "oh that's all right".
We have made several trips to Cambridge, and it seems full of interesting places to see. I am very anxious to really get around. We did go in on "Market Day" and browsed around...ending up once with an interesting tea biscuit bucket won by A.A. Massey in 1885 for broad jumping. We are using it for an ice bucket. Cambridge has been nicknamed "Bicycle City" by Americans, and now I can understand why. They seem to go in squadrons. Everyone has a bike. Its' not at all strange to see a little old lady all decked out in black with bonnet and umbrella pedalling pell-mell down the street.
It certainly is wonderful to be a fmaily again. What a joy it is to see Dick and Beth together. He puts her to bed at night, and I can hear them upstairs talking and laughing away while I prepare dinner downstairs. Beth warmed up to her Daddy immediately, and it seems she has a special sparkling smile for him. It's wonderful.
I am beginning to wonder whether the Air Force is with me or "agin" me. As soon as I arrived Dick was informed that he had to attend a school in Sculthorpe for two weeks, beginning on August 19th. He left last night and I certainly feel lost without him, although I certainly have lots to keep me busy.
Another addition has been made to our family temporarily. Dick promised a fellow in the squadron we would take care of his dog for a month while he was on his honeymoon. BoxMax Apple Charlotte is a three-month old boxer puppy. I have renamed her Snoopy, as she investigates everything within her reach. She is not yet housebroken and has a rigid a feeding schedule as Beth, so instead of one baby I have two.
This past weekend our washing machine arrived - the old type model, since didn't have the facilities to hook up an automatic. However, after doing the wash by hand for two weeks, I am very very thankful for my little old Maytag.
Did I mention that the lady next door keeps bees? I guess it's nice, but I am forever scurrying away from the darn things. They hover around and in our place constantly. Dick keeps telling me they don't sting unless really provoked. I'm not taking his word for it, and will continue to high tail it when I see one.
Beth is growing by leaps and bounds. Her hair is growing in bit by bit, although she still looks like a minature version of her Daddy or Yul Brymer. She attempts to talk more and more now, and as for sitting up, she is forever trying to pull herself up. Her appectite is still as good as ever or perhaps better. When Beth is hungry, you'd better stop everything and prepare it, as she'll make you mighty unhappy if you don't. She certainly can scream lustily. Her teeth are really trying to push through, and in spite of this, Beth seems quite happy. She has picked up family traits now...from both sides. She loves to go to sleep now with an apron in her hands.
We went for an afternoon drive yesterday through many little villages. I found out that we are fiarly near a main road which goes to London only 50 miles away. This will really be convenient when we go there.
Oh - yesterday was the first day the sun shined for any length of time. I was really beginning to think I wouldn't see old Sol until next spring. And it seemed every time I put out some diapers, it would start to sprinkle. I had one batch of diapers in and out about three times one day. Oh, what fun!!
Our first stop on the way was Goose Bay, Labrador, where we refueled for our trip across the "big pond: as the Atlantic is called. We left Goose Bay around 10 o'clock and whirred our way through the night. Beth snuggled in her little Bassinette, and I made myself as comfortable as possible, with thoughts racing through my mind a mile a minute - of what England would be like, our new home, the people we would meet, and especially of seeing Dick.
We arrived in Burtonwood, England, at noon time (their time), exhausted and really travel worn. We went through customs quickly, and I was getting anxious when I didn't see Dick. We were all hustled off bag and baggage to Croft - a receiving center about 12 miles from the field, and my hopes were high that Dick would be there, but no luck. Beth and I were placed in a barracks-type room (dungeon) while they tried to locate Dick. At 4 o'clock I received a call from Alconbury - our base. Dick was in Germany on a cross-country. They hadn't received the cable until after I had arrived! My heart dropped, but they said Dick was expected back that night, and as soon as he came in they would have him flown up in a jet. Beth and I made ourselves comfortable for a long wait. At around midnight he arrived, and we were so happy. Since nothing was ready at the house, etc., we stayed at Croft two days. We visited the town of Warrington nearby, and I had my first taste of English roads, cars, and drivers. Near collisioins kept me with my eyes closed most of the time. On Wednesday we gathered ourselves together for the trip to Rugby where we were to be met and brought to Alconburg. We took a train from Warrington to Rugby vie Crewe - with waits here and there. The train was quaint with little separate compartments. As we chugged along I noticed many children along the way - all with little notebooks notating like crazy. I guess they were making up their own timetables! When we arrived in Rugby no one was there, and after calling the base, we found that they hadn't left yet. With one bottle left for Beth, I was a bit frantic, but luckily she held out beautifully. While waiting in the station we had our first unpleasant experience. A very drunken man approached us and sat with us. His first statement was that he didn't like Americans and from then on he blasted us for about fifteen minutes - which seemed like an hour. We finally retreated gracefully, but it was a nightmareish experience.
Our trip to Alconbury was uneventful - except of course for those close calls with the car, and we were greeted by the Mattsons - where we had dinner. Since our things had been delivered to our home in Fulbourn, I refused to stay anywhere else. I had looked forward so much to this, and I couldn't be deterred.
My first impression of the house was really something and hard to describe - as is the house. Built in 1667, it really is loaded with charm. The entire interior is done in white plaster with rough hewn beams showing everywhere. I will take through the house and attempt a blow-by-blow description.
As you enter the house you come into the foyer where a huge animal skin rug hangs on the opposite wall with assorted small animals attached. The front windows here are stained glass, and the floor is done in a black and white (now really brown) diamond shaped stone pattern. The floor is covered with a persian rug, and among the items here are a rhinocerous tail fly swatter, an African shield made from some animal's skin, and even a huge brass dinner gong. To the left and right are doors entering the living room on the left and the dining room on the right. Let's take the living room. The main attraction is a monstrous fire place about seven feet long and four feet deep ... furnished with an old bellows, some three legged milking stools, a copper kettle to hold the wood, and a brass fire screen. The floor is covered with a huge patterned rug with another hearth rug in front of the fireplace. There are two big chairs and a large sofa - all covered with flowered print slip covers. I have my writing desk, a corner cabinet, and several odd tables. Our only addition to this room is the beautiful Hi-fi set Dick bought for us, and which amazingly fits in very well.
The dining room also has a large fireplace, a huge table (massive), a Rosewood grand piano, a sideboard, a tea cart, which we have transformed into a bar, and several chairs.
Oh - off the living room is our darling sun room You pass through French doors to enter. The entire room - ceiling et all is done in glass, and when the sun shines it really is nice. It looks out on the garden which can be approached also through french doors.
Our kitchen is furnished fairly well with an electric stove, a coal stove to hea the water, a lovely all stainless steel sink, a refridgerator, table and chairs, and quite a bit of cupboard space. i have been cooking on the coal stove, although every time I start to prepare dinner it seems as though the stove isn't warm enough or too warm. It has proved interesting, although not very conducive to good cooking!
On one side of the kitchen there is a set of stairs leading to a room sealed off, and I swear that's where our house "ghost" resides. On the other side of the kitchen there is a door leading to the rear lobby from which the stairs go. We have three bedrooms, and separate rooms for bath and basin, and the "john". Upstairs the floors are really old and worn, and it's like travelling hill and dale when you walk along. We spent our first days in the house attempting to settle ourselves - still trying!
And I met Jim Frost my first Fulbournite. Jim takes cre of our garbage, coal, garden, etc. I have much fun trying to decipher what he says, and I believe he's suffering in the same way, since the other day I said, "So long" and he replied, "oh that's all right".
We have made several trips to Cambridge, and it seems full of interesting places to see. I am very anxious to really get around. We did go in on "Market Day" and browsed around...ending up once with an interesting tea biscuit bucket won by A.A. Massey in 1885 for broad jumping. We are using it for an ice bucket. Cambridge has been nicknamed "Bicycle City" by Americans, and now I can understand why. They seem to go in squadrons. Everyone has a bike. Its' not at all strange to see a little old lady all decked out in black with bonnet and umbrella pedalling pell-mell down the street.
It certainly is wonderful to be a fmaily again. What a joy it is to see Dick and Beth together. He puts her to bed at night, and I can hear them upstairs talking and laughing away while I prepare dinner downstairs. Beth warmed up to her Daddy immediately, and it seems she has a special sparkling smile for him. It's wonderful.
I am beginning to wonder whether the Air Force is with me or "agin" me. As soon as I arrived Dick was informed that he had to attend a school in Sculthorpe for two weeks, beginning on August 19th. He left last night and I certainly feel lost without him, although I certainly have lots to keep me busy.
Another addition has been made to our family temporarily. Dick promised a fellow in the squadron we would take care of his dog for a month while he was on his honeymoon. BoxMax Apple Charlotte is a three-month old boxer puppy. I have renamed her Snoopy, as she investigates everything within her reach. She is not yet housebroken and has a rigid a feeding schedule as Beth, so instead of one baby I have two.
This past weekend our washing machine arrived - the old type model, since didn't have the facilities to hook up an automatic. However, after doing the wash by hand for two weeks, I am very very thankful for my little old Maytag.
Did I mention that the lady next door keeps bees? I guess it's nice, but I am forever scurrying away from the darn things. They hover around and in our place constantly. Dick keeps telling me they don't sting unless really provoked. I'm not taking his word for it, and will continue to high tail it when I see one.
Beth is growing by leaps and bounds. Her hair is growing in bit by bit, although she still looks like a minature version of her Daddy or Yul Brymer. She attempts to talk more and more now, and as for sitting up, she is forever trying to pull herself up. Her appectite is still as good as ever or perhaps better. When Beth is hungry, you'd better stop everything and prepare it, as she'll make you mighty unhappy if you don't. She certainly can scream lustily. Her teeth are really trying to push through, and in spite of this, Beth seems quite happy. She has picked up family traits now...from both sides. She loves to go to sleep now with an apron in her hands.
We went for an afternoon drive yesterday through many little villages. I found out that we are fiarly near a main road which goes to London only 50 miles away. This will really be convenient when we go there.
Oh - yesterday was the first day the sun shined for any length of time. I was really beginning to think I wouldn't see old Sol until next spring. And it seemed every time I put out some diapers, it would start to sprinkle. I had one batch of diapers in and out about three times one day. Oh, what fun!!
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