ginger1981

Ok, so I've settled on something similar to this:

My Wedding Cake

Only difference is instead of the tartan scarf, I'm doing bands of tartan around each layer...in the McMillan tartan of course

But looking around I also found some absolutely ridiculous wedding cakes that I thought would get a chuckle out of everyone:

Utterly Ridiculous

Glow in the Dark

Beer Foam Cake

Geek Wedding Cake

Shoot Em' Up

Primark -

M&S - There really isn't anything like it as you don't see department stores w/ groceries in it here. But I would say if you are talking about M&S Simply Foods Whole Foods would be close or perhaps Wild Oats.

Tesco - I agree Super Target or Super Wal-Mart. Depending where you live a Shop-Ko or Pamida would be similar as well.

Next/Monsoon - You have no shortage of shopping. If you live in an urban/suburban area you'll find plenty of shops like that. I believe most of them have been mentioned but I'll throw Delia's and Mango into the mix.

Wagamama - The only places I really see franchised Chinese is at malls. Most restaurants are family owned by first/second generation immigrants.

Jessops - Ritz Camera

Woolworths - I think Target/Wal-Mart/Shopko/Pamida would be close enough

Debenhams - Von Mauer/Macy's/Bloomingdales/Sak 5th Avenue/Dillards/Younkers/Herbergers/Nordstroms/JC Penney - I think I covered a good most department stores here

The Body Shop - They are in the US as mentioned previously, as is Crabtree & Evelyn. Also try Bath & Body Works

Traidcraft - Ten Thousand Villages

Threshers - I agree with World Market, also Pier One

Med Kitchen - Mediterranean food isn't quite as popular in the US right now, however there is a small chain in Chicago called Roti that is quite tasty.

Paperchase - Papyrus/Crane & Co.

Yo! Sushi - in Chicago Tokyo Lunch Box is a good option

Most cities have a good selection of Irish pubs to choose from. The only chain like O'Neill's I can think of is Fado's over here. English pubs are few and far between...there is a chain called Fox and Hound that might be in your area.

Damn I wish I lost weight when I stressed out! I would love to get down to an 8/10...still stuck at 12/10. It seems like my boobs will never shrink :-(

Got Nicky's interview date today...April 30th so plenty of reason to celebrate. I've also been stuffing myself with cake at the wedding cake consultations...might end up going with a carrot cake as the one bakery I went to had a superb recipe.

Lucozade's US cousins would be Powerade/Gatorade as someone above mentioned. You can get it darn near anywhere.

Now I need to start looking for some Chi-town pads for Nicky and I to nest into...

I'm glad the both of you walked away. It's scary...I've never hydroplaned myself but I've ditched my car on gravel and have had plenty of close calls on ice. Hope your necks are feeling better!

Nicky and I never considered moving to the UK as much of an option. When we met I was still finishing university and I had a great career opportunity.

Personally, before I met him I'd always wanted to live in London and I almost did a study abroad there (in the end I couldn't secure the funds necessary). However, my company has an office in London and it's always an option in the future, though to be honest it isn't something we have given much thought to.

You can add my date to the list finally... after having the embassy lose my stuff in January, then giving me the one date I couldn't attend, as its my mother's wedding day.

April 30th 10am

:-D Yes of all dates in the world they happened to pick the one date that didn't work! I only wish I was staying a few more days in London so we could celebrate together!

I'll have to get out my Suze Orman book to get the details, but I do believe you can "piggyback" credit. For example, if the USC spouse has good credit, you can add the non-USC to the account...I'll have to get the exact details again, and I'll post it later.

An example I know of is a friend who was piggybacked onto their parent's account (when he turned 18 they added him to their credit card account so he would use their card while in college). It ended up something happened where the parents credit took a nosedive, and in turn it damaged his credit although he hadn't ever been delinquent or what not himself.

Suze Orman's Website

There should be more info on Suze's website.

The place I'm working with is great. The bar owner said that basically we can cut off the open bar whenever we like. But I'm also thinking about handing out 2-3 tickets that would be worth a free drink, and once they are used up they have to pay for their own. That way it might control the double/triple fisting of drinks that happens at pretty much every wedding open bar I've been to (and I'm guilty of it too).

It's very important, as our familys combined could easily drink us into several years of debt :-p

Can you negotiate so that is a true open bar - meaning you pay x per person and they can all drink as much as they want? Usually works out easier and much cheaper, plus then you don't have to worry about shutting it off.

I could likely speak to her about it, as she seems really flexible. Most places you pay $X per person for say, 3 hours/2 hours or whatever X amount of time. She offered the "cutting off" request as another option that wasn't listed on their website.

Here is the website...as you can see there are lots of options:

Visit My Website

Anyways, don't forget the suicidal deer who love to jump in front of any moving vehicle. And the occasional cougar/mountain lion, and neighbors with shotguns who "don't like you on their property."

oh yeah, forgot about the suicidal deer. have them here in kansas. allegedly we have mountain lions, not seen one. got plenty of coyotes.

happy valentine's day for everyone

Raccoons getting into the trash too. I can remember coming home one time and my dad had left the garage door half way up. I pull it up the rest of the way to park inside and a good 3-4 of those nasty buggers run out...nearly scared the bejesus out of me.

I hate on coyotes though...especially in packs. I remember when I lived out in the country hearing them attack a calf one time as the momma cow bellowed...just a very eerie situation esp when it's dark and all you can hear is the pack and the mother cow trying to protect it's young.

I triple agree...find a good tax accountant. Your nearest consulate will likely have some reccomendations of CPA's to go through. I think it's just too dicey right now to do it on your own. Maybe next year you can just turbo tax it yourself :-)

I never understood the creme eggs myself. Messy and they hurt my teeth.

Though to be honest I've never been a Hershey's fan myself. I'll eat it if it is there, but it has a strange after taste. I prefer to go for the good stuff...Ghiridelli all the way!

The place I'm working with is great. The bar owner said that basically we can cut off the open bar whenever we like. But I'm also thinking about handing out 2-3 tickets that would be worth a free drink, and once they are used up they have to pay for their own. That way it might control the double/triple fisting of drinks that happens at pretty much every wedding open bar I've been to (and I'm guilty of it too).

It's very important, as our familys combined could easily drink us into several years of debt :-p

I was thinking that it would be a great idea to incorporate Brit/Scottish wedding traditions into our ceremony and reception. I found various things online like wedding hats, fruit cakes etc but what are some things considered "quinessential" to a wedding in the UK?

My DF is already wearing his kilt and all that goes with it, so we got that covered. What type of foods do you serve at the ceremony? I'm having our reception in an Irish Pub, so I'm guessing they could probably come up with some of the traditional foods.

Oh, and as I'm sure someone is already going to bring this up, it is already a tradition in Nebraska to double/triple fist drinks from the free bar...so lots of alcohol is already well covered!

Nothing cheesy, but I've had my share of weird/creepy come-on's.

One of my closests friends (who was in a relationship) asked me to have sex with him one time. He said that she didn't want to lose her virginity until marriage but he was horny and needed to get it out of his system. He wasn't a friend after he pulled that one!

He was so much more than that after you guys did it?

Hardee-har har!

I've never spoken to him since, and I believe him and his girlfriend are now married. I guess he doesn't have to go around bothering his female friends for sex anymore!

Your guy must be from the Norf as I've just looked at yer piccies and the first ones are of Lindisfarne!

You did stop by Seahouses?

I've been to Bamburgh but not yet to Seahouses, though I've been to other such exotic locals such as Shilbottle and Wooler. I hear it is lovely there though. My OH is from Berwick upon Tweed...are you from that area of Northumberland yourself?

i'm leaving the gorgeous hills, mountains, glens, lochs and rugged coastlines of Scotland all gently covered with heather and dotted with sheep...

... I'm going to the utter flatness, cornfields, cows and no coastline of Nebraska. Freezing winters, roasting summers and tornados in between.

the things we do for love!!!

oh sounds like nebraska. brown recluses, black widows, rattlesnakes....

eta: and chiggers!

Eh it's only flat in that area around GI. Omaha is killer to drive in when it's icy with the hills.

Oh, Debz is going to need to read Night of the Twisters! Every school child in Nebraska is required to read that I believe.

Anyways, don't forget the suicidal deer who love to jump in front of any moving vehicle. And the occasional cougar/mountain lion, and neighbors with shotguns who "don't like you on their property."

The best things are tubing on the Niobrara River, Indian Caves State Park, Lazlo's Restaurant, Empyrean Ales, thunderstorms in the spring, Czech Days in Wilber, Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, and Saddle Creek Records.

Making some homemade shortbread for my DF. Considering cutting them into heart shaped cookies but that is awful cheesy all the same!

Nothing cheesy, but I've had my share of weird/creepy come-on's.

One of my closests friends (who was in a relationship) asked me to have sex with him one time. He said that she didn't want to lose her virginity until marriage but he was horny and needed to get it out of his system. He wasn't a friend after he pulled that one!

He was so much more than that after you guys did it?

Hardee-har har!

I've never spoken to him since, and I believe him and his girlfriend are now married. I guess he doesn't have to go around bothering his female friends for sex anymore!

I tend to go UPS. I tend not to trust the USPS or the Royal Mail too much!

Nothing cheesy, but I've had my share of weird/creepy come-on's.

One of my closests friends (who was in a relationship) asked me to have sex with him one time. He said that she didn't want to lose her virginity until marriage but he was horny and needed to get it out of his system. He wasn't a friend after he pulled that one!

Well I met my better half when I was teaching dancing in Texas. I used to teach her and it was Ballroom, latin and country for adults.

I've always heard that the only reason guys take dance lessons is to meet women haha. Although you must have some natural talent and ambition to teach!

What is the NHS's coverage like for Brits abroad?

US is not a reciprocal partner for the rather obvious reson that there is nothing to reciprocate.

I did not bother with travel insurance, I was not going to miss my flight and that and the checked baggage were no big deals. I was added to the wife's cover as soon as I was eligible.

I assumed that of course...I was just curious if a Brit in the US was to need medical assistance, if the BC would pay out of pocket and then later be reimbursed from the NHS.

I'm getting jealous now! We filed in June and we're still waiting. However, we put off the medical a bit since my OH was over here the first part of January, so that is likely why it is taking forever and a day.

I had temporary medical insurance between school and getting benefits for my job. It's easy to obtain and fairly inexpensive. I forgot the name...I'll call my mom and get the name of the company for you since she helped set me up with it.

What is the NHS's coverage like for Brits abroad?

As for the baggage, I'm not an expert at this....but would just run of the mill travel insurance with a higher amount of coverage be ok?

That would be interesting to see, Ginger. I've been curious about that myself, because other than military or school or trips abroad, it would have been difficult for so many people from around the world to meet.

Stu and I met online on some forums for general gaming. I thought he was one of those pervy gaming nerds at first and told him that I would avoid him, but you can see how that worked out. He's still a pervy gaming nerd though

Hmmm...if I weren't such a lazy ####### or perhaps still in school I'd do some serious research. And in the past few years too there has been a lot less stigma of meeting people online.

My favorite line in Revenge of the Nerds goes something along the lines of:

Hot sorority chick: I didn't think nerds would be so good in bed

Lewis: Jocks only think about sports, nerds only think about sex.