yep see you on my birthday!!!!

That is just gross



You'll be fine - am a bit late but have a great week! Look forward to seeing the piccies and we'll all miss you!!!



I know EXACTLY how you feel Am about to have some wine and chill out with my DS for the evening as it appears to be pretty quiet here tonight...

As for the computer comment - it was in response to babbles' mention of being loud when living with other people



Oooooh!!!! How exciting!! Let's hope it is more of a monumental occasion than my proposal from Jeremy

don't worry...nicks proposal to me wasn't anything spectacular either!! really proud of my bro for doing it in style

Haha - I was engaged when I was younger (19 - too young for me and didn't last) and that was done at night on a beach. I was ill when Jeremy proposed. It was about 10pm on the night before he went home and I had to practically order him to go ask my mum (He wanted to but was wussing out). He didn't have a ring. I paid for my ring on my credit card and he paid me back. I got the ring in the mail PMSL Oh how romantic!! Just as well I love him!!!

I don't have a ring. Well I have one of his rings that is far too big for me on a chain but don't have one. Nick had been out seeing a friend during summer when we were over there and I wasn't feeling well so I stayed in watching a movie. He came home in the early hours and woke me up, I'd fallen asleep on the sofa. I stood up, he gave me a hug and didn't actually ask me...he told me he never wanted to be without me and told me he was going to marry me. He did ask my dad when we came back which was sweet.

Aww - but the thing is when he gets all rich and stuff then you can make a suggestion that you get a ring then... he can afford a more expensive one then

Awww proposals are always special... even if they seem less than perfect - it's a unique memory for you!

Mark's actually never asked me outright either. One minute he was asking me if I thought I would ever consider getting married again in the future and insisting I shouldn't be put off by a bad experience, and the next thing I remember about it was him telling me he'd told his Mom we were going to get married! It's nice though because I've had quite a while to get used to the idea and we've talked about lots of stuff to do with the wedding even though we can't officially arrange anything until much nearer the time, especially with CSC being on a go slow at the moment.

I'm thinking of making one of those photobook things to go with my scrapbook.

Anyone else got a proposal / romantic event / happy memory to share?

Oh yay, random chit-chat thread! I wanna share my proposal! Paul surprised me with a trip to Prague, he stole my passport and didnt tell me where we were going till we got to the airport. He'd asked me several months ago where I wanted to go in Europe. Once there he got this awesome hotel and then took me up on this hill overlooking the city at midnight and got down on one knee. It was so sweet! His mom was super mad when we got back though because he didnt tell her or ask my parents...

Aw - I think the low key proposals are the best! I told Alex he didn't need to 'officially' propose to me (we sort of mutually agreed to get married months and months ago) but he wanted to. He was originally going to propose over dinner but he couldn't wait to do that and so he proposed in the morning from bed instead.

He didn't get permission from my parents...he proposed in December but we each told our parents in summer.

I DO have a ring - but I felt a little guilty about accepting it, so I asked that it be my Christmas/birthday present. It's titanium with a tension set sapphire - my friends say it's very 'me'.

He just got a web cam! This is so weird, being able to actually see him while we chat. Weird in a good way, though! He just lip-synced himself to a picture of a kitten, this is so ...wrong.

Overlooking the city at midnight sounds super-romantic! Thanks for sharing that

Titanium rings are becoming more popular I think because they're so durable, perfect for people with gold allergies, and that little bit different. Also bloody expensive! *grins*

Not sure what I'd want if I had an engagement ring because I don't really like wearing rings much due to my eczema. I had a really cheap 9ct gold wedding ring in the past and if even the slightest bit of damp got under it would go all peeling and sore. Mark and I did look at wedding rings recently and I'm very taken with the idea of puzzle rings because they are so pretty but still very simple.

Mark's going to build me a new computer for my birthday ready for when I get there - now that's love for you! *laughing*

Ooohh and webcams are awesome... don't think I could cope without my cam and headset!

They shouldn't be too expensive! We actually went for titanium because it's cheaper than gold, platinum or even silver! I think they're only expensive if you order them from a jeweller who doesn't work much with the metal...there are some very cheap titanium sellers online.

But yes - great metal for a ring, as you say. Durable, suitable for people with allergies and very light and comfortable to wear. And they allow for secure tension settings that you can't really achieve with softer metals.

Hurrah for building computers! I'm not taking mine with me because it's old and not worth the shipping costs, but I built it myself, and Alex said he'd build me one for my birthday, too. Ain't they sweet?

msu17 - now, if I was into the traditional proposal - THAT is how to do it in style!

Awesome! We should compare proposed specs *grins* I've not really got the know-how to put together my own - but Mark's promised to teach me - but I sure do know what I want. All I have is a crummy laptop at the moment, but at least it means I can leave it for Mum to use to keep in touch with me after the big move.

Actually assembling the computer from parts is really easy - especially these days, as most components slip into place in the case with minimal use of screws. If you can follow a simple manual there's nothing to it.

The part that trips me up (and that I have to have lots of help with) is working out which components will go together! Different motherboards have different CPU sockets, etc. There are so many different brands out there that I get easily confused.

My computer broke earlier last year - it took three weeks to work out which part was broken, order a new motherboard/CPU that would work with my old RAM, discover that the graphics card was also shot and then order a new one of those - and then when all of that was done with, it only took about half an hour to build it!

But hey - if someone else is offering to do all the work for you then you can't really refuse! And yes - we'll compare specs; I'll have to inform Alex that mine has to be at least as good as yours!

We got a dvd player for $25 from K Mart in the summer its toshibia with ntsc and pal output I just got the code from the net to make it multi regional which works a treat as my wife loves Catherine Tate and I can play my english dvd's and A Team Collection.

I love Bill Brysons trips around the usa they remind me of life here in Kentucky. I have an obsession with John Deere for some reason.

Haha - my ring is white gold with two white diamonds and one pink diamond:



It's lovely

Jeremy is going to build me a puter when I move too!! I can carry out most basic hardware things but I've never started from scratch before although it looks easy enough - I get confused with all the wires!! I already have my case (saw it in Frys in Vegas last Easter) and I will take my two 80gb HDs with me - they'll do for my OS and general programmes for one and the other will be for downloaded crap I need to sort out - then I'll get a super huge one for all my music, games etc...

is there free coffee and donuts like the candian ot thread around here?

pretty ring! i dig the white gold too.

Nick and me got our wedding rings from cascadia design studios Ours are titanium.

Morning...
It's snowing here this morning. Just started. I always feel like nesting and cooking when it is snowing!!

Heh - here we have gale force winds and horizontal rain but that evil fine stuff that gets you soaked. AND some @$$hole drove through a puddle next to the (flooded) river so I am sodden up to my thighs... bathtime soon...

it really depends on who is on the pavement but I have on several occasions been that evil arse that aims for the puddle!!! Only to those I thought deserved it though

i keep forgetting UKers call the sidewalk pavement...we call what the road pavement...that could get quite tricky! if i am wrong on this i guess i just made an a$$ of myself...

Nah - that's about right - pavement here is sidewalk in the US and road here is pavement there... very confuzzling!

WHAT?????? omg another wee thing to get used too.

no kidding! tons to get used to! one day k told me he needed to do a foreigner after work... which we call moonlighting...that word always reminds me of the 80s tv show Moonlighting starring Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepard...and i bought the entire series...but in UK the series is what we call the season here...lol...so confusing! here the series is like the whole show.

I watch a show on BBCAmerica called MI-5 that is called Spooks over there...changed it since it is a derogatory name for African-Americans....

We're soooo PC...

hate to be controversial but I think most PC stuff is poop. I'm not racist, sexist, ageist or any other ist. But it has gone waaaay to far these days. I'm always going to call a fireman a fireman, apparently I can't call a black board a black board anymore. I'm all for obvious things that cause intentional offence or obvious offence being banned/changed but some things are just ridiculous!

I totally agree with you... If the vast majority of people are offended, ok change it. But if a handful of crazies are the only ones who care... The one that got me was when my MIL said she couldnt sing bah bah black sheep in school anymore because it was racist. WTF!!! Just breath people!

yeah I heard about that one....crazy!!!!!!

I concur completely...I think Americans are waaayyyy too worried about "will we offend someone?"...makes me crazy...

Yeah I must say it seems stupid - I know most black people (that I have spoken to) have said that they prefer to be called black because that is what they are! And even if they didn't - a black sheep is still a black sheep just as a blackboard is a blackboard... It is really dumb - I hate it. I'm not racist/sexist/ageist etc either but sometimes you have to wonder about the mentality of people. I prefer to be blunt and outspoken - then at least people can see me for me. If they take offense then I would prefer that they tell me personally and I will change how I speak to them but in the meantime I just tell it like I see it

I fully agree
I am not racist either, never have been. Black is just a colour as is red, yellow, blue, etc. If people happen to be black then that is no worse than me being white. I have never taken offence to anyone describing anything as white, i.e white clouds, sheep even a white board
I do have issues over these P.C. people who worry so much, like the restrictions they impose on flying the Union Jack or the recent story of the air hostess suspended over wearing a cross on a chain. Realistically, how many people do take offence and complain, very few I imagine.
I found this item, a bit old but it describes all the P.C. madness in Britain today.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1770

Just got in after taking the dog for a good run. Weather here is 55f, overcast but dry, lovely. There is a lot of standing water so we both got filthy
The weather where I'm moving to in Wisconsin is -20f right now I'm certainly not used to such extremely low temperatures, I move in March when it will hopefully be a bit warmer. Not looking forward to next Winter though.

What is -20f in real money?!?! I have real issues - I can kinda do the warm temps (I'm moving to Cali) but the cold ones baffle me I know that 40f or something close is freezing so in my mind, -20f is like -60c or something ridiculous

As for the PC thing... I find it ludicrous that people freak about blackboards yet it is perfectly fine to name something a whiteboard... I have no issue with this other than the fact it seems to demonstrate huge double standards - grr!!

In other news - Gillian, our first July filer and first July Brit filer has moved!! I am sooo excited for her - it is weird because I get all these romantic feelings about her moving but when I think of me moving I just think about Jeremy having to go straight back to work, living in a crappy trailer... It just doesn't seem so monumental... He has suggested a road trip though so maybe we can sort something out...

Damn - I need to write my vows soon!!

g'morning all

Evening!

-20f is around -29c here. We moan if it gets below freezing those temperatures are unreal to me.

I agree with you on the PC thing, but dont get me onto that subject or we will be here all day

Good luck to Gillian, I'm hoping to move around March 13th. Busy packing and deciding what I want to sell, give away or throw out right now. Randy has found us a nice house, one with a secure back garden thats suitable for Dexter my dog (and the puppy we hopefully get early May). He signs for the house next week so it should be all ready for when I move.
Wow, this week has been all go, there is a light at the end of the tunnel after a year of so much stress. It was a just under a year ago that I was diagnosed with cancer, now I have to keep pinching myself to know that this is really happening, checked my passport again today and yes the visa is still there

Wow - -29c?!?!?!?!?! That is INSANE!!!! I can't comprehend that sort of temperature...

As for it being unreal - I can't even imagine!! I still can't get my head around moving! You're very lucky that you will have a nice house/mortgage - we're prolly going to be renting something pretty crappy to start with as neither of us has any capitol and neither of us is on the property ladder... starting from scratch is pretty scary...

wish i could afford to buy a house! i've been in my apartment for nearly 3 years and i think we'll be living here a bit when he moves here...unless i win the lottery or inherit a dead rich auntie....i'm gonna be saving like crazy.

Oh we are renting to start, I have just sent a large sum of money over (£30k) but he wants to wait til I get there and find a job, then we can go for a mortgage and nice house with a large deposit.
Starting from scratch isnt that scary, you will get there. Can't be any worse than starting from scratch in the UK, I can't ever seeing my son being able to afford his own place, he's 18 and lives with his dad.
Took the dog for a walk this afternoon in a t-shirt and light jacket, we both came back so dirty.....one thing I have been told about the snow is that dogs stay clean when they have been out, that bit I'm looking forward to.

my sister's weimaraner loves the snow! she comes back in with snow on her nose!

Yeah - I think it is just a bit frustrating being on here seeing people who have got mortgages being able to send over large sums of money, or even those who have been working for a while - I've just finished uni 8 months or so ago and am paying for all these visa/wedding things so I just feel like I am pouring money into a bottomless pit... I am terrible for comparing myself to other people though

I know we will get there eventually and we are young and starting our life together - I am trying to see it as a fun(!) challenge to build our life together from scratch

Jeraly
The only reason I have some money is because I went through a nasty divorce and claimed what I could a couple of year or so ago. It was an abusive marriage, both physically and mentally. Believe me, I would rather move over there with nothing than what I have been through in those last few years. The fact I have been able to send a bit of money over in order to start a new life is a bonus.
Live your life and enjoy, it doesnt matter if you start out with nothing, you will be happy together and thats all that matters. You will get there eventually, in the mean time cherish what you have. All the money in the world doesn't make a happy life, believe me.

Hehe - I know - I am quite glad I have a little savings but I am not going to send it over right away - it will accumulate some interest here until we can afford to buy It's only like 3k but it's better than nothing

Part of me enjoys the romance of the idea of starting with nothing. Reminds me of the stories mum told me about when her and dad first got married and had deckchairs in the front room

Keep your eye on the exchange rates. The £-$ is dropping, I wish I had sent the money over a few months back when it was $2-£1. The rate now is around $1.95. Not a lot of difference I know but just watch it, it is expected to drop further.
when i first got married many years ago all we had was a concrete floor, an old bed settee we got out the paper that smelt of incontinence and old people and a black&white tv, not going back there again

The dog I lost just before christmas, bless him. He loved the snow, he would run up and down with his head down til his face was covered in the stuff. Dexter who I'm taking with me, hasn't really experienced snow, I'm sure he will enjoy it though. He is 8 years old but acts like hes 8 months

Don't say that!! That's what we'll be like! In some rat-infested trailer like a couple summers ago when I was out there! We even found a brown recluse under the desk! *shudders* If you aren't familiar with these lovely spiders I suggest you do an image search on google... I was fine until Jeremy told me what it was cause I'm not scared of spiders... deadly spiders are kinda different though and I freaked!!! Glad it was the last day we were there...

The rats we never saw - all I know is when we moved in, Jeremy took out all the kitchen drawers and disinfected them... by the time we moved out there were rat droppings in there again - gross

I was moving some stuff today and found a dead baby mouse in the spare bedroom ewwww
A couple of weeks ago Dexter, my dog, was alerted to a corner of my bedroom, I dragged everything out but found no sign of anything, I even put some crumbs down but no sign of any activity. All I can think of is that the little critter was in the wall cavity and managed to find a way out near the heating pipes, near where I found it. Now I'm paranoid, there are a lot of packed boxes in the room, do I check through them all?

Haha - nah - if you are bringing meat into the country customs will soon sniff it out