Note to self ...!

It's been a fairly quiet week this week here at Barlow Towers.  Mr B has been away on his travels again (this time to St Johns in Newfoundland) and Youngest has been on a writing course for the 8th Grade at his new school (where thankfully he made lots of new friends ... the majority of whom seem to be girls ... funny that). Unfortunately on his first day he had to leave early for a trip to the dentist to have 4 stubborn baby teeth removed in preparation for having his braces fitted.  He was still his usual comical self though, declaring that the current song from The Weeknd ... 'Can't feel my face', (which was playing on the radio as we drove home) should be dentist theme tune :D

Anyway, this week I have compiled a list of things I have learned so far since moving to Arizona.  

1. Don't lick your finger and then rub at a mark on the side of your car when it has been parked outside in the midday sun.  It burns.  And you will get a blister.
2. A 'sandwich' is not a sandwich at all and more often than not a burger in disguise.
3. Americans cannot make a decent cup of tea (sorry, harsh but fair).  Leading on to No. 4 ...
4. Iced tea is disgusting.
5. Whenever you attend any kind of medical appointment, doctor, dentist, optician ... you will leave several hundred dollars poorer.
6. Jumping onto a hot car seat whilst wearing shorts can be painful and seatbelt 'branding' is unattractive (and also painful).
7. Always look for a parking space under a tree even if it means walking a few minutes longer (see No. 6)
8. If you order chips with your steak you will most likely get a side of crisps.  I am sure Americans realise all too well that you really wanted 'fries' but love to have a laugh at our expense.
9. The British sense of humour does not travel well across the pond and at best you will met with a blank stare and the underlying assumption that you are in fact barking mad.
10. The majority of drivers here do not know how to use indicators preferring to just surprise you to keep you on your toes.
11. Mosquitos love me.
12. Always check your shoes for scorpions before putting them on.
13. With a few exceptions, American TV is rubbish.  When you do find something half decent to watch, it will be punctuated by adverts every two minutes, mostly for drugs with hideous side effects.
14. Never leave the house without a bottle of water.
15. Margaritas are practically a national dish and therefore compulsory.

Finally, as I was writing this earlier this afternoon, Mr B shouted for us to come quickly and look outside in the garden.  To our amazement, there was a wild bobcat having a cheeky drink from our pool!  Mr B managed to snap this picture before it trotted off - not the best quality but not bad under pressure!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.

TTFN

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