tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47226523026045704372024-03-13T06:24:18.767-07:00Monkey Grass Hilljulielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-7197820700552247732015-12-31T06:24:00.002-08:002015-12-31T06:24:59.056-08:00Lost and FoundI've been feeling kind of lost since we moved to London. While our experiences have been amazing and I have so much more to blog about, I just couldn't make it work as the old Monkey Grass Hill. We weren't living in MGH anymore. So, as we look forward to a new year I'm going to make a new start. <br />
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Check out my new blog <b><a href="http://homethrown.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Home Thrown </a></b>julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-37075765619260475112014-05-21T03:15:00.000-07:002015-02-24T02:38:00.645-08:00Oh, Hi Dubai!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWGSF05obfk/U3x-AHDTgDI/AAAAAAAAF-A/vDVKIcNvzOs/s1600/IMG_2657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWGSF05obfk/U3x-AHDTgDI/AAAAAAAAF-A/vDVKIcNvzOs/s1600/IMG_2657.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think the trip that shocked me the most was going to Dubai. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Never in a million years did I think I would go to the middle east. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But around these parts it's a common destination for holiday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So we jumped on the bandwagon in February. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a little recap</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stayed at the Atlantis which had a water park on site. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Perfect if you're traveling with children. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Saqzqz5n400/U3xwQ8x3BfI/AAAAAAAAF5k/2OrGndjq2Ik/s1600/IMG_2450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Saqzqz5n400/U3xwQ8x3BfI/AAAAAAAAF5k/2OrGndjq2Ik/s1600/IMG_2450.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">view from our room</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did the Sunset Safari excursion which was a four-wheeling drive through the desert.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We stopped at a few places to take some pictures and climb dunes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dP11Z1WuLx4/U3xwnpQXlWI/AAAAAAAAF50/RDxE4cQ94vI/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dP11Z1WuLx4/U3xwnpQXlWI/AAAAAAAAF50/RDxE4cQ94vI/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We saw a falconry show and learned a little history about how they were used for hunting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YT3frnSpC7I/U3x1aVnn0UI/AAAAAAAAF9A/pwLQNz_wppk/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YT3frnSpC7I/U3x1aVnn0UI/AAAAAAAAF9A/pwLQNz_wppk/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Driving through the dunes in the desert took it's toll on us older folks. Matt was hanging on for dear life. Many of the other cars had to pull over for car-sick passengers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was hysterical and nauseating all at the same time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMCDM4xjQXg/U3xxGr5Jk6I/AAAAAAAAF6k/W4WIOIPlQVI/s1600/IMG_2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMCDM4xjQXg/U3xxGr5Jk6I/AAAAAAAAF6k/W4WIOIPlQVI/s1600/IMG_2525.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqkGL1OMjLc/U3xxHqYtdEI/AAAAAAAAF6s/PXw_NAiDjAI/s1600/IMG_2526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqkGL1OMjLc/U3xxHqYtdEI/AAAAAAAAF6s/PXw_NAiDjAI/s1600/IMG_2526.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ate an authentic meal sitting on rugs in the sand in a desert campsite. It was very very cool! There were tents with henna artist, shisha, arabian coffee and a dancer. And we got to ride a camel. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVRiB1HdSI0/U3xxjPFbnEI/AAAAAAAAF60/frN_fPTX5rc/s1600/IMG_2565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVRiB1HdSI0/U3xxjPFbnEI/AAAAAAAAF60/frN_fPTX5rc/s1600/IMG_2565.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4zfmF0VbFw/U3xxlS3s-4I/AAAAAAAAF7E/J6qFaMjDPDg/s1600/IMG_2567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4zfmF0VbFw/U3xxlS3s-4I/AAAAAAAAF7E/J6qFaMjDPDg/s1600/IMG_2567.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The clean up crew. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I was leaving I peeked into a dish and saw this massive beetle enjoying some leftovers.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fm6EpzTGXnE/U3xxjngJ7fI/AAAAAAAAF64/6gLEy5QYTbc/s1600/IMG_2570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fm6EpzTGXnE/U3xxjngJ7fI/AAAAAAAAF64/6gLEy5QYTbc/s1600/IMG_2570.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Within the hotel there was an enormous (probably 3-4 story high) aquarium. The fish were amazing. We had to stop every time we passed it to watch for a few minutes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Photos can't do it justice and it never got old. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwyGSdcQ6-4/U3xyCd6fdYI/AAAAAAAAF7U/vOzq8XbJT6s/s1600/IMG_2644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwyGSdcQ6-4/U3xyCd6fdYI/AAAAAAAAF7U/vOzq8XbJT6s/s1600/IMG_2644.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjEihmkc9-s/U3xyCdBONPI/AAAAAAAAF7Y/Zplz4ZkvVc4/s1600/IMG_2645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjEihmkc9-s/U3xyCdBONPI/AAAAAAAAF7Y/Zplz4ZkvVc4/s1600/IMG_2645.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I thought the jelly fish were really interesting.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7Qib82tVjo/U3x2XazitLI/AAAAAAAAF9g/9AWclhoC71o/s1600/IMG_2588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7Qib82tVjo/U3x2XazitLI/AAAAAAAAF9g/9AWclhoC71o/s1600/IMG_2588.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took a bus tour.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ewcVcEHP3g/U3xx_R_8fmI/AAAAAAAAF7M/OZK00wmJQ2U/s1600/IMG_2646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ewcVcEHP3g/U3xx_R_8fmI/AAAAAAAAF7M/OZK00wmJQ2U/s1600/IMG_2646.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">which included a boat tour. The little boat shown here is a water taxi called an <i>abra</i> they take you from one side of the river to the other where the old souks are.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9H078uLRycs/U3xyWUtwbaI/AAAAAAAAF7k/Rihavw-9x8k/s1600/IMG_2666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9H078uLRycs/U3xyWUtwbaI/AAAAAAAAF7k/Rihavw-9x8k/s1600/IMG_2666.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The textile souk was fun but exhausting. The stalls all have a lot of the same stuff and the staff/owners are incredibly aggressive. At first it was fun talking to them and laughing at how hard core their sales approach was. "You are a my good friend, I'll give you a good price." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then when you couldn't get away from them it got old. One guy literally chased me down the alley when I got fed up and walked away.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfM_vv77XJY/U3xywRZ3EdI/AAAAAAAAF70/0ZX29-nl8Wc/s1600/IMG_2686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfM_vv77XJY/U3xywRZ3EdI/AAAAAAAAF70/0ZX29-nl8Wc/s1600/IMG_2686.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dubai felt old and new at the same time. It's a city under construction and well on it's way to being the Las Vegas to the rest of the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our flight home was at 3:00 am. So we had some time to kill after checking out of our hotel.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rklWaMhxmk/U3xy416ZN7I/AAAAAAAAF8E/lLoysNAKEQw/s1600/IMG_2693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rklWaMhxmk/U3xy416ZN7I/AAAAAAAAF8E/lLoysNAKEQw/s1600/IMG_2693.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So Matt and Drew went snow skiing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, you read that right. There is a mall in Dubai that has an indoor skiing park complete with a penguin "experience". </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtoyIvCiZ1c/U3xy_r8FkuI/AAAAAAAAF8U/v5SRz_jCtW8/s1600/IMG_2694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtoyIvCiZ1c/U3xy_r8FkuI/AAAAAAAAF8U/v5SRz_jCtW8/s1600/IMG_2694.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgK_LrCaz7Y/U3xzI5lDASI/AAAAAAAAF8s/a4fiWt3F1JE/s1600/IMG_2699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgK_LrCaz7Y/U3xzI5lDASI/AAAAAAAAF8s/a4fiWt3F1JE/s1600/IMG_2699.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where else in the world can you go to a water park and then snow skiing in one day? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was the trip of a lifetime. </span></div>
julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-4248752664950447732014-05-08T02:01:00.003-07:002014-05-08T02:01:35.199-07:00The Trouble with Toast RacksI've long loved the idea of elevating toast to a main event by displaying it in a pretty little stand designed and created for nothing other than carrying and holding toasted bread.<br />
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I've been wanting and searching for one to call my own for a long time now. But, for some reason they are very expensive (by my standards) even when they're just silver plated.<br />
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At long last, I found an old silver plated and seriously tarnished toast rack priced just right for me - "a quid".<br />
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On it's maiden voyage to our Sunday breakfast table it became the main topic of discussion.<br />
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Both Drew and Matt were thrilled when they saw the set-up. They'd never seen or heard of a toast rack before, but thought it a genius concept.<br />
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However, in mere seconds we all discovered a few flaws in the toast rack design. First off, our "medium sliced" bread was a tad wide for the rack. It took some effort to get it out.<br />
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Matt began questioning the true purpose of the stand. He thought it better suited for mail. And while I knew they are sometimes used to hold letters these days, their intended purpose is for toast.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9fZNYXqxOY/UtUb_wYatpI/AAAAAAAAFrc/u2bQaDX8fE4/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9fZNYXqxOY/UtUb_wYatpI/AAAAAAAAFrc/u2bQaDX8fE4/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Then I noticed something else, which was more important to me. It left a lot of crumbs scattered about.<br />
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This got me to thinking an I too had questions formulating about this "toast rack. Why was it invented? Are there toast rack standards?Are all toast racks created equal? So I Googled it--as you do.<br />
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I learned that these racks serve a very important purpose--by standing the toast up air circulates between the pieces preventing condensation which can make your toast soggy. And, obviously the little handle makes it easy to pass around the table.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Cadillac of toast racks</td></tr>
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They are still being produced out of all types of materials and you see them in all the shops over here. AND some of them come with a little tray to catch a crumbs.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuC8UHiENoY/U2tGy84kcLI/AAAAAAAAFyw/HzgHSvrdGBA/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuC8UHiENoY/U2tGy84kcLI/AAAAAAAAFyw/HzgHSvrdGBA/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AouvWQRaNxs/U2tGywS8HqI/AAAAAAAAFy8/Id6ydkJxoaI/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AouvWQRaNxs/U2tGywS8HqI/AAAAAAAAFy8/Id6ydkJxoaI/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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So now with a little experience and a few conversations under my belt I have some advice for you.<br />
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<ol>
<li>If you're shopping for a toast rack, get one with an accompanying tray. </li>
<li>If you prefer your toasted bread with melted butter be sure to butter it before cooling in the rack. </li>
<li>Buy a thinner sliced bread when using a toast rack. </li>
<li>When not in use, show your toast rack a little love by using it to organize mail. </li>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-73979933549941651032014-04-30T08:40:00.000-07:002014-04-30T08:40:12.097-07:00What A Year!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a camel we're on people!</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It was about this time last year that I was breaking down in tears about moving to London. I couldn’t imagine what life would be like without my garden. I now call The Regent’s Park my backyard and I think it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. Today I discovered yet another secret little spot. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Regent's Park. I have a much bigger pond now</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt is embracing the new life too. He learned how to wrap his scarf the European way</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Before the move I didn’t know what could possibly replace Trader Joes and the thrift stores I loved to poke around in. Now I walk to Waitrose to shop for groceries just about every day. I’ve even discovered some new food items I’ll miss when we move back to VA. I had no idea how much I would look forward to Fridays when I “junk” on Portobello Road—Oh the treasures I’ve found!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't bring this home from the market, but we got very close to it. </td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It’s been an amazing year. I can’t believe what I’ve seen in the past 10 months. I’ve learned so much about England/London history, we’ve traveled to Barcelona, Dubai, Rome and Paris. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're in the Arabian dessert!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to the vatican we passed this castle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two need no introduction</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We’ve made friends through Drew’s school and we’ve been entertaining a lot more. (e.g using my treasures). </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">There’s so much good stuff I need to share and remember. So much more than “Loo Tours” and oddly placed door knobs. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I’ve got the time and the stories to tell, so here goes - Let's meet back here a couple times a week for coffee (or wine depending on your time zone) and I'll tell you about our adventures. Cheers!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a cup of coffee at an ancient fountain in Rome</td></tr>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-55215889248408576662013-11-10T01:15:00.000-08:002013-11-10T01:15:57.173-08:00Door Knobs OptionalApparently knobs on front doors are not mandatory in London.<br />
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Instead of a knob there is a little lip that you can grab with your index finger.<br />
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To further befuddle or amuse me, I've also noticed that if they DO have a knob it's placed dead center in the door and they don't attach to any mechanism and there is no standard height and no leverage.<br />
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So, if you are trying to enter through a door with a centered knob you basically just have to thrust your body at the door. Why?<br />
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I googled "door knob in center of door", to see if there is some reason way back in history that has just carried forth. All I found were other googlers wondering the same thing. I think they are purely decorative.<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7Vn5L8nn2Y/Uma_pNIcGmI/AAAAAAAAFk0/iHh89YsbM4M/s1600/IMG_1872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7Vn5L8nn2Y/Uma_pNIcGmI/AAAAAAAAFk0/iHh89YsbM4M/s320/IMG_1872.JPG" width="219" /></a></div>
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<b>centered knob</b></div>
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<b>No Knob</b></div>
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<b>Centered knob (very high mount)</b></div>
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<b>Centered knob</b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lX96YXELe2A/Uma_qvVrbMI/AAAAAAAAFlA/hDvyi5cL66I/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lX96YXELe2A/Uma_qvVrbMI/AAAAAAAAFlA/hDvyi5cL66I/s400/IMG_1878.JPG" width="182" /></a></div>
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<b>No knob (incredibly low mail slot)</b></div>
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<b>Just barely qualifies as a knob </b></div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-28768562891137278492013-10-13T05:36:00.000-07:002013-10-13T05:36:06.187-07:00Just never mind about the weather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One thing I figured out quickly about London is that the people just ignore the weather here. When I say, "weather" I mean rain. People will sit or stand outside drinking their pints even if it's raining. No umbrellas, just acting like they don't even notice it's raining. If there is an outdoor activity there is never a rain date. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We go to the local farmer's market just about every Sunday. Today it was raining pretty hard and Matt said the market was probably closed. I said, "they don't cancel things because of rain here, they just ignore it". It was raining pretty hard around start time and I wondered if people would really set up/attend an outdoor market in the rain. </div>
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The answer to that question is Yes, yes they do. <br />
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I always head straight to the flower guy</div>
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and Drew always buys a croissant from this lady<br />
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I watched this shopper walk around the market oblivious that her umbrella was inverted (I thought it was funny because it wasn't even windy)<br />
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I think it's a great way to live. Just never mind about the weather and get out there!<br />
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-18504487831414900462013-09-25T01:54:00.001-07:002013-09-25T01:54:47.925-07:00Potty Talk<br />
I love that they call it the "loo" over here. They got it right in that department. I mean really, public restrooms are no place you would want to hang out and "rest". And, they never have a bath in them. But imagine my surprise to see this sign at the local playground<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dyNsWNVQsq8/UkKd4Dg2tXI/AAAAAAAAFhM/wDA6pPXa2VI/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dyNsWNVQsq8/UkKd4Dg2tXI/AAAAAAAAFhM/wDA6pPXa2VI/s320/IMG_1173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Look closer.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FszXDXXrsA/UkKd0IkUqZI/AAAAAAAAFhE/aff8c09BfME/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FszXDXXrsA/UkKd0IkUqZI/AAAAAAAAFhE/aff8c09BfME/s320/IMG_1174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Drew and I pondered WHY would this public toilet get an award. We thought the idea of a "Loo of the Year" award was hysterical. It looked like every other public toilet we've seen around with the exception of the painted tile mural. Perhaps that is the reason it has won this (what I can only assume is a highly esteemed) award.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kdW5uwA9_Q/UkKeUbcMOpI/AAAAAAAAFhU/7F3CtjQ8WVM/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kdW5uwA9_Q/UkKeUbcMOpI/AAAAAAAAFhU/7F3CtjQ8WVM/s320/IMG_1175.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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But then Matt read there are London Loo Tours. What?!<br />
So I did a quick Google search to see what this is all about. I was shocked to see how many hits came up. Most were targeting singles. In my circle, public restrooms were always something to be avoided if you could help it. Here, they're date night destinations.<br />
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The descriptions made me laugh out loud and I just had to share them with you:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lSHkI55Y4c/UkKdi7e0GBI/AAAAAAAAFg4/9PNLh-MiOIA/s1600/2t1g2cua8zr_xoz4bdzpatxvug_amfqdlkjlf7g8svu.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lSHkI55Y4c/UkKdi7e0GBI/AAAAAAAAFg4/9PNLh-MiOIA/s400/2t1g2cua8zr_xoz4bdzpatxvug_amfqdlkjlf7g8svu.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2392935/Singles-looking-love-join-tour-public-loos-somethingdifferent-uk.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></i></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class=" mobile-undersized-upper" style="color: black; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whether you're looking for a practical perspective of London, a deepened understanding of history or just want to take the piss... Do join me!</span></span></span></i> <span class=" mobile-undersized-upper" style="color: black; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">Rachel (The Loo Tour Lady)</span></span></span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WdFq3wQ42E/UkKdi-rMbjI/AAAAAAAAFg0/moUCguFvHsE/s1600/abe619b368-UCLoo_image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WdFq3wQ42E/UkKdi-rMbjI/AAAAAAAAFg0/moUCguFvHsE/s320/abe619b368-UCLoo_image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;"><span class=" mobile-oversized" style="text-shadow: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://lootours.com/" target="_blank">The Bloomsbury Loo Tour</a></span></span><span style="text-shadow: none;"><a href="http://lootours.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Part of the UCLoo festival: Explore the loos of Bloomsbury, and grab a sandwich in a </span></a></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><span style="text-shadow: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://lootours.com/" target="_blank">(very clean and lovely) urinal!</a></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span><h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">A website for singles in London has brought new meaning to crap dates after it organised a<br />night out for its members in toilets across the capital.</i></span></h3>
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<h3 style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2392935/Singles-looking-love-join-tour-public-loos-somethingdifferent-uk.html" target="_blank">Not your bog standard date</a><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2392935/Singles-looking-love-join-tour-public-loos-somethingdifferent-uk.html" target="_blank">night! </a></span></span></i></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2392935/Singles-looking-love-join-tour-public-loos-somethingdifferent-uk.html" target="_blank">Singles looking for love join tour of public loos </a></span></i></span><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2392935/Singles-looking-love-join-tour-public-loos-somethingdifferent-uk.html" target="_blank"><i>New dating event involves touring public toilets on a pub crawl</i></a></span></span></li>
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<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2392935/Singles-looking-love-join-tour-public-loos-somethingdifferent-uk.html" target="_blank"><i>As well as meeting singles you learn the history of the lavatories</i></a></span></span></li>
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<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2392935/Singles-looking-love-join-tour-public-loos-somethingdifferent-uk.html" target="_blank"><i>Experts share facts about the politics behind public conveniences</i></a></span></span></li>
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<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2392935/Singles-looking-love-join-tour-public-loos-somethingdifferent-uk.html" target="_blank">Currently being pioneered in London, hoping to expand nationwid</a></i></span></span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>e</i></span></span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">If you're coming to London you might want to add one of these tours to your itinerary--or not. </span></li>
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<em style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://lootours.com/" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;">Loo Tour</a></em></h3>
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<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;">Bookings. Welcome to <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours</em> ... a unique way to experience the rich history of London! The project is continually evolving, so check back for updates <b>...</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://now-here-this.timeout.com/tag/london-loo-tours/" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours</em> – Now. Here. This. – Time Out London</a></h3>
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<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;">Simona Valle · No, we're not taking the piss: it's a <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">tour</em> of <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London's</em> toilets. Tuesday June 18th 2013 in Fun <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London</em>. Search. Most popular posts. Watch police at <b>...</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/the-loo-tour-art-meets-function" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;">The <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">Loo Tour</em>: Art Meets Function | <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">Tours</em> | Time Out <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London</em></a></h3>
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<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;"><span class="f" style="color: #666666;">18 Mar 2013 - </span>This addition to <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London's</em> walking scene promises to be no flash in the pan. Led by Rachel Erickson, you'll discover the social significance of <b>...</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/14/dating-firm-hopes-to-wipe-out-competition-with-toilet-night-for-singles-3923214/" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;">Flush away bad dates with a romantic <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">toilet tour</em> - Metro</a></h3>
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<a class="authorship_link" href="https://plus.google.com/106749828491752178493" style="color: #666666; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">by Mark Molloy</a></div>
<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;"><span class="f" style="color: #666666;">14 Aug 2013 - </span>Dating site DoingSomething.co.uk has teamed up with <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours</em> to host an event that is a mix of a singles night, pub crawl and <b>...</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/LondonLooTours?group_id=0" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours</em> | Facebook</a></h3>
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<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours</em>. 161 likes · 11 talking about this. <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours</em> began as a joke, and a few months later I find myself actually leading groups through the <b>...</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2392935/Singles-looking-love-join-tour-public-loos-somethingdifferent-uk.html" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;">Singles looking for love join <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">tour</em> of public loos with <b>...</b> - Daily Mail</a></h3>
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<cite style="color: #00802a; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal;">www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Singles-<b>look</b>ing-love-join-<b>tour</b>-public-<b>loo</b>s-someth...</cite></div>
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<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;"><span class="f" style="color: #666666;">15 Aug 2013 - </span>However rather than quaint pubs or swanky bars, the tour stops off at public conveniences. The website has teamed up with <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours</em> <b>...</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.vayable.com/experiences/3868-the-loo-tour-art-meets-function" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;">Art & Culture <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">Tour</em> in <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London</em>, United Kingdom: The <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">Loo</em> <b>...</b> - Vayable</a></h3>
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<cite style="color: #00802a; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal;">https://www.vayable.com/.../3868-the-<b>loo</b>-<b>tour</b>-art-meets-function</cite><div class="action-menu ab_ctl" style="-webkit-user-select: none; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;">
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<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;">This <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">tour</em> is perfect for the immensely practical tourist with a sense of humour and an interest in hygiene. My own interest in toilets fountained from a very practical <b>...</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.doingsomething.co.uk/date-ideas/unusual-date-ideas/london-loo-tour/" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;">The <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tour</em> - London's most fun dating site for single <b>...</b></a></h3>
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<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">Toilet</em> Dating. A one-of-a-kind pub crawl with a 'crappy' twist. Some of the 36 people who fancy doing this. bartosh · danielvsg · rpdrummer · fromeastowest <b>...</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/org/3633919613" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours</em> on Eventbrite</a></h3>
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<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours</em> is using Eventbrite to organize 5 upcoming events. Check out<em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tours's</em> events, learn more, or contact this organizer.</span></div>
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<a href="http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/ucloo-festival-2013/2013/09/23/london-loves-loos-the-loo-tour/" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London</em> loves loos: the <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">Loo Tour</em> | UCL UCLoo Festival 2013</a></h3>
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<span class="st" style="line-height: 1.24;"><span class="f" style="color: #666666;">2 days ago - </span>A couple of members of the project team recently took the <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">London Loo Tour</em>, in preparation for the UCLoo Festival taking place 19th November <b>...</b></span></div>
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cursor: pointer; display: block; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="csb gbil ch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.co.uk/images/nav_logo161.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -74px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 40px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 20px;"></span>3</a></td><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a class="fl" href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+loo+tours&client=safari&rls=en&ei=fp5CUrzYOenu0gX3o4D4DA&start=30&sa=N" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer; display: block; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="csb gbil ch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.co.uk/images/nav_logo161.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -74px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 40px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 20px;"></span>4</a></td><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a class="fl" href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+loo+tours&client=safari&rls=en&ei=fp5CUrzYOenu0gX3o4D4DA&start=40&sa=N" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer; display: block; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="csb gbil ch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.co.uk/images/nav_logo161.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -74px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 40px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 20px;"></span>5</a></td><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a class="fl" href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+loo+tours&client=safari&rls=en&ei=fp5CUrzYOenu0gX3o4D4DA&start=50&sa=N" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer; display: block; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="csb gbil ch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.co.uk/images/nav_logo161.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -74px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 40px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 20px;"></span>6</a></td><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a class="fl" href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+loo+tours&client=safari&rls=en&ei=fp5CUrzYOenu0gX3o4D4DA&start=60&sa=N" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer; display: block; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="csb gbil ch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.co.uk/images/nav_logo161.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -74px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 40px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 20px;"></span>7</a></td><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a class="fl" href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+loo+tours&client=safari&rls=en&ei=fp5CUrzYOenu0gX3o4D4DA&start=70&sa=N" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer; display: block; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="csb gbil ch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.co.uk/images/nav_logo161.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -74px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 40px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 20px;"></span>8</a></td><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a class="fl" href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+loo+tours&client=safari&rls=en&ei=fp5CUrzYOenu0gX3o4D4DA&start=80&sa=N" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer; display: block; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="csb gbil ch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.co.uk/images/nav_logo161.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -74px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 40px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 20px;"></span>9</a></td><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a class="fl" href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+loo+tours&client=safari&rls=en&ei=fp5CUrzYOenu0gX3o4D4DA&start=90&sa=N" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer; display: block; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="csb gbil ch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.co.uk/images/nav_logo161.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -74px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 40px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 20px;"></span>10</a></td><td class="b navend" style="font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a class="pn" href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+loo+tours&client=safari&rls=en&ei=fp5CUrzYOenu0gX3o4D4DA&start=10&sa=N" id="pnnext" style="color: #2518b5; cursor: pointer; display: block; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="csb gbil ch" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.google.co.uk/images/nav_logo161.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -96px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 40px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 71px;"></span><span style="display: block; margin-left: 53px; text-decoration: underline;">Next</span></a></td></tr>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-64488719701462720582013-09-19T05:27:00.001-07:002013-09-19T05:27:26.701-07:00Doctors, Decor and Decorum<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1LxQYxsZq8/UjrmzmzQFTI/AAAAAAAAFgk/SUHNYVySL90/s1600/IMG_1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1LxQYxsZq8/UjrmzmzQFTI/AAAAAAAAFgk/SUHNYVySL90/s320/IMG_1634.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><i>Didn't see that coming</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><i>London Hospital Tour</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><i>Barf bowls and pendant lights</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><i>Fun with bowls (not bowels)</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><i>Won't be buying one of those</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><i>Boys will be boys</i></span></li>
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These are just a few of the titles I considered for this post. Can you guess what it's about? </div>
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It had been a normal Sunday afternoon and we had just finished up a dinner of roasted chicken, quinoa and tomato salad and little mint chip ice cream (this is relevant because it "comes up later"). We retired to the reception room (that's living room) and started watching TV. </div>
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Suddenly, I began feeling stomach pains. Gas maybe?... They quickly got stronger...Ulcer? Soon the pain was stabbing and shooting and I felt like I was in labor (NO, No chance of that!). <br />
I began shaking and sweating from the pain. </div>
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Finally I announced, we need to go to the hospital. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RVQcfOCADY/UjrmIdcW70I/AAAAAAAAFgY/RqqAz-kzVrU/s1600/IMG_1654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RVQcfOCADY/UjrmIdcW70I/AAAAAAAAFgY/RqqAz-kzVrU/s320/IMG_1654.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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While Matt and Drew stumbled around finding just the right trousers and socks to wear for the walk over to a hospital, I stood in the rain waiting and waiting and waiting--yes it felt like a lifetime. And yes, we walked in the rain to the hospital, only taking one wrong turn. I'm a low maintenance kinda girl even in times of stress. </div>
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Luckily I was able to walk right in and be seen by a Doctor after a relatively short wait. He was English, young, handsome seemed to know what he was doing and talking about. He only took one personal call while examining me and quickly diagnosed I was in pain. I would need a CT to determine what the problem was, some pain killers and a barf bowl. </div>
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He handed me one of these. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6l7wtfnRaWA/Ujrmlnw9D6I/AAAAAAAAFgc/xBEM04Vg1Qo/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6l7wtfnRaWA/Ujrmlnw9D6I/AAAAAAAAFgc/xBEM04Vg1Qo/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
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My first thought was , "Now this is an excellent use of recycled materials."</div>
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It reminded me of these upcycled pendant lights I had just seen at the <a href="http://www.conranshop.co.uk/750684/CARTON-PENDANT-2/Product" target="_blank">The Conran shop</a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1LxQYxsZq8/UjrmzmzQFTI/AAAAAAAAFgk/SUHNYVySL90/s1600/IMG_1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1LxQYxsZq8/UjrmzmzQFTI/AAAAAAAAFgk/SUHNYVySL90/s320/IMG_1634.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="239" /></a><br />
I took pictures of these upcycled cardboard pendant lights because I thought it was very clever and maybe could be a craft project to try with Drew. </div>
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I told the Doc about the pendant lights I'd seen earlier at the Conran shop and his response was, "what's up with that place?" Apparently some other <strike>clients</strike>, <strike>customers</strike>, <strike>guests</strike>, patients had also mentioned the shop that day. We both just shrugged and said, "who shops there "? <br />
At this point I'm thinking, am I in the twilight zone?...</div>
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After using said recycled product for my "<b>up</b>cycle" the doctor asked if he could make a joke about my dinner. I ask you people, "is this normal?". Sure, make a joke, especially if I'm on my deathbed and it's at my expense. It wasn't that funny, so I'll spare you. </div>
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Fast forward, after a sleepless night in the hospital and worsening pain and still no diagnosis, Drew and Matt come up for a visit. Drew has a cup of cocoa that he has declared <b>the best cocoa ever</b>. He asks if I can stay at the hospital a little longer so he'll be able to get another cup tomorrow. Then he notices the bowls look like little cowboy hats--kinda like a fascinator for boys. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SN8GrJyWvc/UjrhVRLLTJI/AAAAAAAAFfw/7-iYCskseJc/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SN8GrJyWvc/UjrhVRLLTJI/AAAAAAAAFfw/7-iYCskseJc/s320/IMG_1678.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="239" /></a></div>
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Matt thinks they make for a great tossing game. After a quick match of,<br />
<i>Toss the barf bowl on the sick lady's foot. </i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUFuuXzSSzA/UjrhKd6hueI/AAAAAAAAFfg/nG_9_39CApo/s1600/IMG_1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUFuuXzSSzA/UjrhKd6hueI/AAAAAAAAFfg/nG_9_39CApo/s320/IMG_1677.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's required all patients wear these lovely stockings. Please not the stack of bowls on shelf.</td></tr>
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my pain took a turn for the worse and I asked them to please leave. Before he left, Matt took a picture of me with an oxygen mask on--saying, "we'll laugh about this later" then my men headed home. </div>
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It turns out I had appendicitis and some other issue with a tangled intestine that had some adhesion connecting it to my bowel. Luckily my surgeon is a specialist who gives talks in DC about rare medical oddities. He's got my stuff in a jar and he's going to show it to me tomorrow. If you want to get a closer look, book your tickets now for his US tour coming in April. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECQq0kT-LyI/UjrhR431aCI/AAAAAAAAFfo/RiLx0gL6c8c/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECQq0kT-LyI/UjrhR431aCI/AAAAAAAAFfo/RiLx0gL6c8c/s320/IMG_1679.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="239" /></a></div>
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Drew and Matt will be opening for him with an act called<br />
<i>Little Cowboys Do Singing in the Rain</i></div>
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I'm home now and recovering just fine. But, as I was gathering my stuff for the walk home, I paused a moment about the experience and the unused bowls sitting on my bedside table. I thought they really are amazing, we could paint them, decoupage them, serve chips in them, use them for Halloween costumes, the possibilities are endless...<br />
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-45300786140534904572013-09-08T07:53:00.002-07:002013-09-09T01:00:12.182-07:00First Nights <div style="text-align: center;">
I've been at a complete loss for how to proceed with blogging. I'm going through a bit of an identity crisis. Is this still me blogging about setting up house (just in a different place)? Is this about being an expat? Or is this a family chronicle? I'm still not sure, but for my own journalling purposes I'm going to back and up write about what we've done and learned so far since moving to London.</div>
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I'll start with our arrivals.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWZynKjH_JU/UiRZMTAAc-I/AAAAAAAAFcQ/AsfAcF7JdCg/s1600/IMG_1037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWZynKjH_JU/UiRZMTAAc-I/AAAAAAAAFcQ/AsfAcF7JdCg/s320/IMG_1037.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Matt came over a couple weeks earlier to start work. He would arrive in the dark at our empty house with two suitcases (after working in Luxemburg for a week) . In order to lighten his load, I ordered a "bed in a bag" that was scheduled to arrive the same day as he did. I shipped it to his office so someone would be able to accept the package. Brilliant right?</div>
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His first night I got a call from an exhausted Matt. It was 10:00 pm and he couldn't get the front door unlocked. Not only that, but the doorman at his office refused the package so he wouldn't have a bed. After 30 minutes and several calls expressing frustration he got in to the house. (There are 3 different locks on the front door).</div>
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Poor poor Matt. It was cold here at that time so he spent a sleepless night on the floor with a shirt as his blanket. The next morning he jumped in the shower only to realize he hadn't packed any soap. Upon exiting the shower he realized he hadn't packed a towel. Ahhh, home sweet home.</div>
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The next night, one of the keys wasn't working. He had to call a lock smith and waited for an hour to be let in. Once in the house he went to inflate the air mattress so he could sleep in comfort. Well, wouldn't you know, the pump that came with the bed was the kind that plugs into a car lighter. He called me to share his frustration. He slept on the floor with his newly purchased bath towel as a blanket. (It was cold)</div>
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The next night I suggested he check into a hotel. So he went to a little hotel nearby. Upon opening the door to his room he noticed that the bed was tiny-- smaller than a US twin. Matt is a big guy. This was not going to work. I got another frustrated phone call. We discussed his options and he decided to leave.</div>
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For his first 10 days he had no sleep, no internet access, no TV, no furniture, no family and no idea how to turn on the oven. So Drew and I decided if misery likes company we should make our move earlier than planned.</div>
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When we landed Matt told us to take a cab to the Claridges Hotel. His company was having a conference and they had an extra room booked that we could stay in that night.</div>
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(beautiful flower arrangements)</div>
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It was beautiful! We ordered room service had a nice hot shower and got a great night sleep.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffCCm7GSV_A/UiRZWYRG49I/AAAAAAAAFcg/yX1sGaZJrFU/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffCCm7GSV_A/UiRZWYRG49I/AAAAAAAAFcg/yX1sGaZJrFU/s320/IMG_1040.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="239" /></a></div>
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(cool decor)</div>
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The next day we walked our new house where I have never had an issue with the locks.</div>
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(old elevator with a built in seat)</div>
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What's the lesson to be learned from this is:</div>
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1. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.</div>
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2. Always be prepared.</div>
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3. The Claridge Hotel is a really nice place to stay.</div>
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It feels like we've been here forever now and we're all settled in. </div>
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Our first nights are such a distant memory--but I think it's fun to laugh about how different our experiences were.</div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-66726175162703850472013-08-15T02:22:00.000-07:002013-08-15T02:22:55.637-07:00You Know You're In London When...You see crisps (not chips) in flavors like<br />
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Roast beef & onion</div>
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Honey roast Wiltshire ham</div>
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<br />julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-61661721424610115312013-07-30T10:00:00.000-07:002013-07-30T10:00:17.087-07:00Let's Review - 1 month in London<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope to be blogging on a more regular and more interesting basis very soon. In the meantime I just brainstorm future features while Drew drones on about battles, and pokemon, legos, and canIhave...</div>
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So here's a photo dump with very little narrative-- I hope my few remaining readers enjoy :</div>
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We took a double-decker to Portobello Road. It let us off here</div>
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The market looked like this. I was overwhelmed and unable to process anything</div>
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After leaving Portobello Rd. we ventured elsewhere. It took a little longer because we're not great map-readers. But I discovered that they've got everything over here that we have in the US</div>
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sometimes they just they change the name a little</div>
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Whole Foods is Matt's Mecca, so I'm so happy he has his happy place here.</div>
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I bought a sofa in a "high summer sale" frenzy. </div>
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As you may know, I love black and white and when I saw this at the Designers Guild I went crazy. </div>
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The purchase and delivery of this one are a story all their own. </div>
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(btw/ it's not working)</div>
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We've walked up to the zoo several times. Can you tell how hot it is by Drew's hair</div>
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There is an abundance of meerkats exhibits. This one, you crawl through a dark tunnel to pop up in a bubble in the middle of their habitat. So cute!</div>
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The zoo does have an amazing butterfly exhibit too</div>
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Every stage of the life cycle is represented.</div>
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Drew turned 8 years old</div>
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This is him as we were headed out to meet Matt for a celebratory dinner </div>
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He got his first store-bought birthday cake.</div>
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It's all about blowing out the candles anyway.</div>
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We saw this random guy on Oxford street while out doing errands. </div>
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He was slowly popping his balloons and posing for pictures. Still don't know what it was all about.</div>
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Found another fantastic playground. </div>
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Explored some fantastic museums. </div>
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Enjoyed blue skies and amazing monuments</div>
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I've been reading up on Victoria and Albert since seeing these -- Can't wait to learn more.</div>
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Prince Albert Hall. </div>
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There's so much more to share, but I'm tired of uploading photos on this slow machine. If you enjoy this kind of detail you might want to subscribe so you know when I do a random post (you'll get an e-mail). Or, follow me on Instagram to see the riveting photo-log as it happens. </div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-54360370529714349712013-07-15T01:08:00.002-07:002013-07-15T01:08:12.797-07:00Greetings From Sunny London <div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, you read that right-- SUNNY London.</div>
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We've been here for just over two weeks and it's been hot and sunny since our arrival. </div>
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I've been pleasantly surprised by how nice the grocery stores are.</div>
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The produce is fantastic! </div>
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and they deliver</div>
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We've seen some of the sights</div>
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And have enjoyed many hours in The Regent's Park that is just a three minute walk from our house.</div>
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This guy showed Drew how to be a "bird whisperer"</div>
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(aka-feed the birds)</div>
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He is so proud of himself.</div>
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We're getting lots of exercise walking and climbing in our new backyard</div>
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Every day is an adventure and I'm already certain that this move was the right thing to do. </div>
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I'm asking myself now, what was I so afraid of?...</div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-1152566691109960922013-06-22T03:44:00.001-07:002013-06-22T03:44:28.382-07:00My Affairs<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">I met Joe when I lived in CA for about 9 months in my 30's. A co-oworker suggested we get together and I just kinda laughed it off. The first get together wasn't that great because I thought I was looking for something different (nail polish remover). I quickly figured out how unique Joe is, and fell in love. I knew the relationship would end when I moved back to VA, but there was nothing I could do about it. A few years later, I heard Joe was moving to VA. I was over the moon and started telling everyone they had to meet him!</span><br />
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I really needed Michael after Drew was born. He filled a void for me and always had what I needed--no matter what I was into that week. I've been told, they don't make 'em like Michael in London, and honestly I don't know what I'll do. </div>
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Finally, Craig and I got together when we moved into Monkey Grass Hill. The relationship was slow to start. We had to figure out how to work together. This relationship takes time and constant work, but it's so worth it. At first Matt was totally against Craig, even told me to stay away. Luckily, I was able to show him no one was going to get hurt and everyone gets something out of this relationship. </div>
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I'm really going to miss my guys! </div>
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You complete me Trader Joe, you satisfy my creative side Michael's craft store, and you have saved me (a lot of money) Craig's list. </div>
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Don't forget me guys--I'll never forget you!</div>
julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-52687945356105137492013-06-21T05:55:00.000-07:002013-06-21T08:26:52.870-07:00Yard Sale<div style="text-align: center;">
With less than a week before we move to London, </div>
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there are a few things that had/have to be done.</div>
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One thing that Drew really, really, really wanted to do is have a yard sale. REALLY?!</div>
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He and Matt decided they would do it and make lots of money and it would be fun. </div>
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Obviously they have never done a yard sale before. </div>
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I have, and swore I would never do one again. I told them I did not want ANY part of it. It's too much work, people are kooky and you don't really make much money.</div>
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Guess what? Tomorrow yours truly is having a yard sale. </div>
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Ugggh! Stop by if you're local. <span id="goog_1599568049"></span><span id="goog_1599568050"></span></div>
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Vintage brass trays</div>
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Cabinets/Bar with stone top</div>
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Vintage upholstered chairs in perfect condition</div>
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Wool rug barely used</div>
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lots of kids stuff</div>
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garden stuff</div>
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random stuff</div>
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Stop by, it's going to be SO MUCH FUN!</div>
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Starts at 8:00 am</div>
julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-24966423765379493272013-06-01T07:41:00.000-07:002013-06-01T07:41:06.321-07:00House Hunters International - The Decision<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://monkeygrasshill.blogspot.com/2013/05/im-back-from-two-day-international.html">Which property </a>did we choose? </div>
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Well, first we narrowed it down to one of the two mews houses simply because of location. </div>
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Then we crunched numbers and talked about how we would live, what we needed vs. what we wanted. We did the basic pros and cons list and decided to go with ......</div>
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Mews #2! </div>
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The movers came on Thursday and packed up our goods to set sail on a ship to London. </div>
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This is really happening. </div>
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I think the history of mews houses is really cool-- if you want to know more about them check out this site <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">http://www.mewshouses.com</span></div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-63767818565666966812013-05-24T07:19:00.000-07:002013-05-24T07:19:14.794-07:00You Want A Piece Of This?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGqce-NPqPE/UZ9x3B7FSgI/AAAAAAAAFOY/iOYezUf_0Ww/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGqce-NPqPE/UZ9x3B7FSgI/AAAAAAAAFOY/iOYezUf_0Ww/s200/0-1.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this cake was desert at a bon voyage party thrown for us last weekend</td></tr>
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I mean, would you like to have a piece of of Monkey Grass Hill?</div>
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A few weeks ago, blogger and artist <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">PVE</span> e-mailed me this painting she did of my pond. She was inspired by a post I did last year and she captured the details perfectly. I started bawling, as it brought up the emotions of leaving my home and garden that I love. </div>
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My pond is a calming and a central part of my garden and my home.</div>
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When we have parties the kids always like to sit on the edge while they eat. Everyone loves to feed the fish (even grown ups). The birds, squirrels and even an occasional frog stop by to have a drink. We've had some swimmers (dogs and children). </div>
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And, it's my favorite view while I sip my morning coffee. It's a special place. </div>
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Yesterday I got a this beautiful package in the mail. </div>
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Patricia turned the painting into notecards. They are now available on her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pveshop"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">etsy</span></a> shop along with so many other great works of art. You really should check them out. Or have her create something equally as special for you. I'm thrilled that I can take a little piece of my garden with me to London--and now you can have a little piece too. </div>
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Have a great weekend! </div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-46706429763601503742013-05-21T19:38:00.001-07:002013-05-21T19:38:54.774-07:00House Hunting In London<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm back from a two day international house hunting trip. I laughed, I cried, I pulled an all-nighter and most importantly, I found our new home. I've been planning on presenting my final three options like the House Hunters International show and let you all weigh in on which one I should have chosen. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Funny thing is, my relocation consultant (person who organized and showed me all the listings) was on the show a year ago. She was helping a NY couple find a place in London. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Kate my home finder</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the tone of House Hunters International here is the latest episode:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The LoRusso family lives outside of Washington, DC. Matt's company is relocating him to central London for at least two years. His wife, Julie is a housewife and self proclaimed home body, so the search for a place that will feel like home is very important to her. They have a son who will be going to school in London, and they will need to be located close to school since they won't have a car. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are not a lot of properties that have the features Julie is looking for and are also within their budget. Julie wants something that is close to her son's new school, has some character or charm, has a least 2 bedrooms, good storage, two bathrooms, some type of outdoor space (like a terrace, balcony, patio), and nothing that feels like a hotel-she prefers not to have to use an elevator to get to her front door. The search is focussed on the Regent's Park area of London</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first property is a flat in the St. John's Wood neighborhood. It's across the street from the Lord's Cricket Grounds and has plenty of character and closet space. This area is known for having a heavy population of Americans, so she'd be among fellow American expats. It has stairs and an elevator, but is on the <b>sixth</b> floor.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The walk to school would be about 20 minutes. It has three bedrooms. This unit is just under budget.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And chandeliers a-plenty!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><i>Welcoming entryway</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Open space with chandelier could be used as a dining area. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Beautiful hardwood floors throughout.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Updated kitchen with room for a table.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(There is a typical european combination washer/dryer unit in the kitchen, which is very common in London. They are notorious for being quite small and not effective as dryers. That's why the current resident is air drying his clothes on the furniture in the living room.)</span></h4>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Third bedroom could be used as an office and guest room.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">High ceilings, great closets, good sized rooms.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The second property is a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mews">mews house</a>,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"> </span>about a 10 minute walk to school and is just one block from the neighborhood <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Street"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">high street.</span></a> What it lacks in charm it makes up for with storage. It has a garage! But it has gray wall to wall carpeting and very small bedrooms with small closets. The kitchen is on the ground floor and the living room is on the second floor.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Dining room </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">kitchen on the ground floor.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">utility room with washer AND dryer</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Large living room on the second floor</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> The bedrooms are small</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thFWlhEGywE/UZwcgEHKvOI/AAAAAAAAFJw/ytf2uKgsKvQ/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thFWlhEGywE/UZwcgEHKvOI/AAAAAAAAFJw/ytf2uKgsKvQ/s400/IMG_0889.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="297" /></a></div>
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Master bedroom</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The second property is over budget, but "negotiable".</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The third property is a sleek mews house that is about a 10 minute walk from the school. It has the kitchen, living room, washer AND dryer on the main floor. It has three bedrooms with nice closet space and has been updated with windows everywhere to maximize natural light inside. The second floor even has a partial glass floor to bring light into the main floor. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axdRI3REOFQ/UZwgf14PLbI/AAAAAAAAFKY/voqb93jkZKo/s1600/IMG_0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axdRI3REOFQ/UZwgf14PLbI/AAAAAAAAFKY/voqb93jkZKo/s400/IMG_0912.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="297" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Kitchen includes top of the line appliances, and island, skylight and wood floors.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">First floor stairs. </span></div>
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(Notice the glass floor that bring light into the kitchen below)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sst_Q8AiaSI/UZwgjn7eqcI/AAAAAAAAFLQ/n1Rxc8ZCH9s/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sst_Q8AiaSI/UZwgjn7eqcI/AAAAAAAAFLQ/n1Rxc8ZCH9s/s400/IMG_0919.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="297" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The bedrooms are nice sizes and all have good closets.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0EvTfHBM_U/UZwgjTefVRI/AAAAAAAAFLI/niuoYOb2mzs/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0EvTfHBM_U/UZwgjTefVRI/AAAAAAAAFLI/niuoYOb2mzs/s400/IMG_0920.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="297" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Every bedroom has it's own bathroom</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The top floor has a big skylight that's automated!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The third property is significantly over budget.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, which property will the LoRussos choose? Will it be the charming flat with chandeliers, high ceilings, wood floors and nice closets? Or will it be the Mews house with a ground floor kitchen, two bedrooms and a garage? Or, will they splurge and take the sleek mews house with one floor living, great light and a bathroom for every bedroom?</span></div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-7117937321358077342013-05-03T08:47:00.001-07:002013-05-03T09:08:23.938-07:00CHEERS! We really are moving <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">The decision has been made and we are officially moving to London.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3eiF9RjEgDw/UYPX8g8D9jI/AAAAAAAAFDw/HEAdop1tewQ/s1600/IMG_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3eiF9RjEgDw/UYPX8g8D9jI/AAAAAAAAFDw/HEAdop1tewQ/s640/IMG_0813.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
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Now that the wheels are in motion, I've been getting a lot of questions. So today I'm doing a Frequently Asked Questions about our Move to London. The pictures don't go with the topic, they're just some of the things I've been enjoying this spring in DC.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>2013 National Kite festival</i></td></tr>
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Q: What are you going to do with the house? </div>
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A: We have found a family who will live in Monkey Grass Hill during our absence. I'm not sure if the wife will blog about her experience and projects around the house or not. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKAcfn4akrk/UYPXO1ouZTI/AAAAAAAAFCs/2eFtPVsot9o/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKAcfn4akrk/UYPXO1ouZTI/AAAAAAAAFCs/2eFtPVsot9o/s400/IMG_0796.JPG" width="297" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoayOH1QxV0/UYPXO8_igbI/AAAAAAAAFCo/oreOC-JE15U/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoayOH1QxV0/UYPXO8_igbI/AAAAAAAAFCo/oreOC-JE15U/s400/IMG_0797.JPG" width="297" /></a></span></div>
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Q: Where are you going to live? </div>
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A: We don't know exactly yet. Definitely central London and somewhere close to Regents park. I'm told it's a little "less urban" and greener in that part and that's what I'm looking for.</div>
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Q: When will you get your place? </div>
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A: I'm headed back to London for a 2 day whirl wind house hunting trip in about a week. I'll try to blog my own little "House Hunters International" post for you. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The one that "got away" from the deer</i></td></tr>
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Q: What does Drew think about the move? </div>
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A: Some days he's very excited and other days he says he doesn't want to move because he'll miss his friends. (I know exactly how he feels.)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"black tulips" I plated last fall. Turns out they're really more purple</i></td></tr>
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Q: What about school? </div>
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A: We've enrolled him in an International school and we are very excited about it. The class sizes are smaller and they use and "inquiry based learning" which we think will be amazing for Drew. </div>
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Q: What are you taking with you? </div>
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A: Don't know yet. I have to find the place we'll be living before I know what will fit. I do know that I'm not supposed to bring any electronics. So, none of my lamps will be making the trip. </div>
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Q: Are you going to start blogging again? </div>
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A: I think I will have a lot of stories and pictures to share as I work through a transcontinental move. But blogging as Monkey Grass Hill doesn't seem to make sense once we're over there. I'm thinking about just starting a new one to chronicle my European experience once we make the move. Got any good names for me?....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pond cleaning went so much faster this year with my assistant's help.<br />It's a very dirty job!</i></td></tr>
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In the meantime I've been enjoying the warmer weather here and my last chance (for a while) to work in my garden. Both ponds were cleaned and are up and running again. </div>
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I'm feeling much better about the move now and I'll be even more excited once I know what our new home will look and feel like. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The garden is looking beautiful and full of life. I'm really going to miss it.</i></td></tr>
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Stay tuned, we're about to take flight! </div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-66883822806586396642013-03-18T09:30:00.003-07:002013-03-18T09:30:26.091-07:00The Perfect Egg Cup<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Remember when we got back from London and I said that Drew discovered he likes soft boiled eggs and toasted soldiers? Therefore I needed to find the perfect egg cup so I could serve this breakfast to him here in the US.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Well it turns out the search for the perfect egg cup wasn't so hard. And in fact, quite educational. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">This is "egg cup season" and there are A LOT to choose from. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3FfamNUiLg/UUc8iicRrEI/AAAAAAAAFBI/74C2lRsLAmQ/s1600/6f162e9a8d31bf1a2403489588b3a9f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3FfamNUiLg/UUc8iicRrEI/AAAAAAAAFBI/74C2lRsLAmQ/s400/6f162e9a8d31bf1a2403489588b3a9f9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can find some really cute vintage ones on Etsy. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZEHosJa8Ns/UUc8ixFDEtI/AAAAAAAAFBE/ZXgEQo--oX0/s1600/80a9b0e3005639871251fc51eb575d94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZEHosJa8Ns/UUc8ixFDEtI/AAAAAAAAFBE/ZXgEQo--oX0/s400/80a9b0e3005639871251fc51eb575d94.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Or in the retails stores like Pottery Barn. </div>
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And who knew there were SO many uses for a little egg cup?</div>
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Desk organizers for things like tiny little clothes pins</div>
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Vases for tiny little flowers </div>
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Serving dishes for tiny little bites </div>
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and pin cushions for tiny little-- you get it</div>
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And yes, you can use them for soft boiled eggs too</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">This one spoke to me. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">If I ever see it I'm grabbing it so I have somewhere to put my tiny little somethings</span></div>
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But for my picky little guy it had to be just right. Without making much of an investment I came home successful on the first try. It's all about the spin people! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrgJvqkk2S8/UUc6Zb0PesI/AAAAAAAAFAY/O8vv8xTcUYw/s1600/DSC05571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrgJvqkk2S8/UUc6Zb0PesI/AAAAAAAAFAY/O8vv8xTcUYw/s320/DSC05571.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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A basic .99 white one that he can decorate, or I can write little love notes on. </div>
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Just decorate with Sharpies and it washes right off with soap and water. </div>
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Ahhhh the smell of success. Or is that the eggs?...</div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-46569183250146488942013-02-18T06:38:00.000-08:002013-02-18T06:38:31.157-08:00Cafe LoRusso<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This past week "Cafe LoRusso" has been in full swing.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Even though our dining room is not fancy at all, it always feel a little special when we eat in there. </span></div>
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Last weekend we had some good friends/newlyweds over. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">I went with a very casual and colorful setting with my thrifted "paradise" china and teal stemware.</span></div>
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Apparently the cooking bug has gotten ahold of Matt too. He decided to cook the main course. </div>
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(I love a good "before and after" shot don't you?)</div>
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<i>Dinner table after</i></div>
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For Valentine's day I set a "romantic" table for three. </div>
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<i>Hellebores from my garden</i></div>
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I went with a black, white and pink color pallet.<br />
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Rose petals and candle light<br />
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and sparkling grape juice from Trader Joes<br />
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But that's not all folks! <br />
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The fine dining continued thanks to Matt who surprised us with a "fancy" breakfast on Saturday.<br />
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P.S. On a completely different note, If anyone knows how I can actually get my Instagram photos to post on my sidebar please help me! I might be better at just posting pictures than actually writing posts :) I'm doing interesting stuff I'm sure you would want to know about. :)</div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-80831848165047852912013-02-01T08:36:00.003-08:002013-02-01T11:23:44.642-08:00The LoRussos Go to London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">We're back from our little information gathering trip to London.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">(We saw a Dodo bird at the Natural History museum that really left a lasting impression on us. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Such a funny looking character)</span></div>
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In three days we got a good feel for what life would be like. I almost got hit by a car at least 7 times.<br />
We walked a lot. We traveled via the Underground a lot. </div>
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It rained. </div>
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We popped in to St. Paul's Cathedral during a night time mass. </div>
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Checked out Buckingham Palace and weird street performers near the Eye. </div>
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(I think Drew was both intrigued and kind of scared of this guy. They came in every color :)</div>
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Our first stop upon arrival was a pub of course.</div>
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I tried fish and chips (can't say that I love pub food). </div>
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Drew tried a soft boiled egg with "toasted soldiers". He loved it, so we are now searching for the perfect egg cup so he can enjoy this very english breakfast here in the US. </div>
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<i>("toasted soldiers" are just toast that has been cut into long strips)</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">An agent drove us around to show us some flats for "let" in our price range in the neighborhood we're looking at. Our expectations our now in check.</span></div>
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It looks like we are probably going to move sometime this summer. The trip reinforced something I already knew--I am not a city girl. But, it also showed me that it will be an amazing experience for Drew. It will be a much better situation for Matt and it'll stir things up for me, which could be really good. Right? </div>
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It's really scary, but I've always known that moving to another country is an amazing opportunity that we're fortunate to be offered. So it looks like it's full steam ahead! I've spent the morning looking at schools then cross referencing them with maps of the city and Underground. We won't have a car so first we have to find a school, then we look for a place to live that is in short walking distance. But we need to find the right school that is also on a underground line that will be convenient for Matt to get to work. </div>
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Nothing is set in stone yet but it's feeling very real now.</div>
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Cheers!</div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-35315591436939061442013-01-06T09:13:00.000-08:002013-01-06T09:13:07.437-08:00London Calling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For almost a year now we have been trying to decide if relocating oversees for a couple years is the right thing to do for our family. Matt's job would be easier if we were living in London--but the company is not requiring him to move. </div>
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It's exciting. It's scary. My feelings about it change almost hourly. </div>
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I love my house, my garden, my neighborhood, my life, my comforts, my thrift stores :)</div>
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But what an amazing opportunity to see and experience life in another way. How fantastic would it be for Drew to see the world from a global perspective. </div>
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This morning we pulled out a world map and circled all the countries we'd like to go to on weekend trips or for vacations if we moved.</div>
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<span id="goog_1692862943"></span><span id="goog_1692862944"></span>We were giddy just thinking about all the great places we could see and experience. </div>
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In the meantime I've been trying to sort through the day to day things like, what do I do with my household stuff? This potential moved has been the impetus for my "purge of 2012". It's also why I haven't blogged much about decor and home projects this year. I always have the question, "are we moving?" in my head. So even though I need curtains in the bedroom I haven't made them because we might be moving. I'm also always thinking about whether we store our furniture or do I move it oversees? Who will adopt my many many houseplants? Would anyone consider a houseplant foster care program? Will a renter take care of my garden and ponds? Can I leave all my boxes of Christmas decorations in the attic?... Are the prices at the Portobello Road market and shops better than the Georgetown flea market and thrift stores here (considering the exchange rate and all)?</div>
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I know these are little things that aren't really important in the grand scheme of things. Our biggest concern is how it will impact Drew to switch schools (to a completely different system no less), </div>
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leave friends and family behind, </div>
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and adjust to a different lifestyle. That's what our decision is really coming down to. </div>
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Hopefully we'll be making a final decision soon. I feel like I've got emotional whiplash and am eager to make a decision and move on, once and for all. I've never really been to London, so it's hard to get a feel for what life would be like. I know it would be VERY different. In a few weeks we're going to visit the city and scope it out. </div>
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If you were offered the opportunity to relocate to another country for a few years (with your family), what would you do?...</div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-81030648577981498582012-12-23T09:50:00.000-08:002012-12-23T09:50:01.660-08:00Quick Pixs of Christmas <div style="text-align: center;">
Monkey Grass Hill at Christmas</div>
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This year the indoor decorations were pretty simple. I was trying to avoid red and have a nature theme throughout the house. Yes, my boys complained that I was not being "traditional" but after that whole polka-dot cat concession I made, I decided this battle was mine to win.</div>
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Lot's of turquoise and chandelier crystals to look like rain or ice drops. </div>
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The mantle had peacock feathers and turquoise pine cone candles. Drew made the wreath in art class and I thought it was the perfect addition. </div>
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(That dreamy photo effect you're seeing on the edges of all these pictures is because I dropped my camera)</div>
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I tucked greenery from the garden and pine cones in, on and around every surface.</div>
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I've got garland galore!</div>
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Over every door</div>
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Draped on tables a</div>
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and even on my kitchen window sill</div>
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Matt and Drew did some custom designs. </div>
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Gingerbread houses to adorn the kitchen shelves.</div>
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They took the whole thing VERY seriously.</div>
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Drew's was a modern style</div>
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Matt's was more traditional with the shingled roof</div>
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We hosted a holiday party</div>
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I like the way this painting looks like she's trying to decide which dessert to eat.</div>
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As usual, I didn't get any good pictures of all my hard work. </div>
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People showed up right on time so I had to join the party.</div>
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I also hosted a neighborhood cookie swap. </div>
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It was a "progressive party". </div>
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We visited 4 different houses to see decorations and sample sweets. </div>
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I baked our house favorite - shortbread</div>
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I also surprised the ladies with a white elephant gift exchange.</div>
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Many of the boxes had pieces of my jewelry. </div>
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The booby prize was this crazy dancing carrot pin -- see how happy she is she got that one.</div>
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A few boxes had soap.</div>
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It was a lot of fun.</div>
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We've been busy and I'm looking forward, to slowing down and just spending the day with family on Tuesday. </div>
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Merry Christmas!</div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-90758676304903511472012-12-05T16:39:00.002-08:002012-12-05T16:41:18.207-08:00Crazy Cat Lady<div style="text-align: center;">
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I'm really not a "cat lady" but something about this thing spoke to me. </div>
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Apparently we (the cat and I) speak a very rare language. The thrift store was all a buzz that someone was actually going to buy the crazy polka dot cat box. </div>
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(Now half price since it had been there so long.)</div>
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Once proudly displayed at home it received a very quick veto from Drew and Matt. </div>
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I was asked to remove it. </div>
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I obliged by moving it to a less conspicuous place. </div>
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Fire away people, nothing is going to change my mind about this crazy polka dotted cat box. </div>
julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722652302604570437.post-61653783335687981822012-11-26T16:19:00.000-08:002012-11-26T16:19:03.055-08:00Black Table, Dry Chicken<br />
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I've been in a very black and white mood lately. I think I need to pull it back a bit. </div>
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But, while I'm in the throws of it I decided to set the table in black and white (again). </div>
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I thought the table looked pretty. </div>
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Estate sale stemware, Ikea runners, Homegoods plates and Grandmas flatware.</div>
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The prep went well. Things were looking good</div>
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<i>(Ina Garten recipe - white chocolate apricot, cranberry, pistachio bark)</i></div>
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and smelling great (if I do say so myself).</div>
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<i>(Ina Garten roasted chicken breast recipe)</i></div>
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Dessert was looking delectable. </div>
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It was a very Ina menu. Good ole Ina, she's NEVER let me down before... </div>
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But this time, the chicken was dry :( Oh Ina, why have you forsaken me?! </div>
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It's really not her fault. I didn't follow the recipe to the letter. I'm pretty sure my friends will forgive me. And Ina, I forgive you--or should I say, I'll never stray from your instructions again. Lesson learned. </div>
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I've had a couple dinner party dishes fail lately and I beat myself up for days after. I love having friends over for a nice dinner, so I'm not going to give up yet. Who wants to be my next guinea pig?...</div>
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julielorusso@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17113811747928792568noreply@blogger.com6