Jumble

#1. I think I've finally (finally) chosen my outfit for the Rotaract Ball.  It's 50s themed, so I needed something requiring a petticoat, naturally.  What do you think?

#2.  I most definitely did NOT choose the right Avon Lady.  I STILL don't have my stuff yet!  She was supposed to deliver it on Saturday, but I called her and asked if she could come Sunday and she said that would be fine.  We set up a time and the time came and went on Sunday with no call and no appearance.  I called on Monday after the time she said she'd be there just in case I got confused and she still hasn't called me back.  I'll try her one more time, but it's ridiculous that I should have to work so hard to earn her commission for her. 

#3.  Alice and I went on this amazing stroll from St. Ives to Houghton today.  It was so incredibly beautiful, I can't even put it into words.  I stupidly left my phone so I couldn't take pictures, but I hope to go back while it's still lovely and warm and capture it.  There was ivy everywhere.  Everyone was out.  Moms with babies in strollers, dads with dogs on leashes, runners, cyclists, teenagers all hanging out next to a tree in the meadow.  We saw swans, ducks, horses, cows, sheep, squirrels, bunnies, (heard) crickets, and even saw a toad which slimed all over Alice's foot!  There were chestnut trees, acorns,  blackberries, crabapples, elderflowers, and someone was even selling cherries from their trees.  The path we walked was wooded but it overlooked a lovely stream and then huge meadows beyond that.  We walked into Houghton and had ice creams at a local pub (I got pistachio, Alice got caramel and chocolate) and browsed the area around the mill and some of the most adorable, quaint cottages I've ever seen.  I can't even handle the cuteness that permeates everything: doorframes you'd bonk your head on if you were 5'10", thatched roofs, tiny little flower gardens, mossy rocks, shutters with hearts carved out, tiny markets actually titled "Ye Olde Village Shoppe," et cetera, et cetera. 

This place is even better than I could have imagined. <3

The Doors

I have no idea why, but I love a good entrance.  England is lousy with fantastic and unique doors, so I thought I'd share my collection thus far.  [Please forgive the weird centering and distance from some, many of these are right on the sidewalk,and I'd have to go into traffic to get a better shot.  Also, most of these I encountered in passing, so we didn't have time to set up quality shots]

More to come!

Getting out

So.  I'm not sure why I ended up deciding not to blog about anything that's happened to me in the last couple of months, because there have been plenty of noteworthy events.  My favorite one has to be getting involved with a group called Rotaract.  I found an article about them in the paper and they looked like a lot of fun, so I decided to look up their Facebook page.  After I was added, Hazel, one of the group's movers and shakers invited me to go on a boat trip on the river the next night.  I decided I needed to go.  See, I'm not averse to social engagements, but I am averse to feeling awkward. ;)  It's not like people are going to be beating down my door to meet me, so I have to put myself out there. 

Every night at my house

So I went and it was a great time.  Everyone was so friendly and funny and I was surprised that even though the group's age parameters are from 18 to 31, almost everyone was about my age or older.  [A very welcome change from being at HPU where I was always older than everyone.]  So the next time, I brought Cameron along and he loved everyone too.  We decided we would start going every time.  Basically the group is designed to be a social slash service/fundraising group.  I can't think of a more perfect combination: Spending time with fantastic people and helping others while I'm at it.

Some of the fun things we've done:

Boat ride on the river

Group cricket team

Dragon boat racing

Curry night at Spiceland

Pub quiz

Sadly, there were no pictures taken at Jive class, but that will change next week. :)

Tons of exciting things are on the way.  October 22 is the Rotaract Ball and it's 50s Rock n Roll theme, so I'm having a blast trying to find a cute swing dress (this is also where the jive class comes in). 

The weather has been unseasonably warm (read: 77 degrees) and I'm trying to take advantage of it while it's here.  Alice and I are going on a bike ride tomorrow if our bikes cooperate, and a nice long walk if they don't!  Friday, Alice is having a barbeque at her house, so this has been an especially eventful week considering Cameron isn't here.  I miss him like crazy, but he'll be back soon. :D