alexist

Friday was mainly spent doing errands. We dropped Bailey off at my parents' (at which point we found out that Jen and Rob would be home that night... oh well). Then we bought some American junk food to take home, and went to the mall and Borders (PS. did not buy new copy of On Beauty, I can wait a week). I did buy The Jewish Girl's Guide to Guilt. ;o)

We met my parents and grandma for dinner (back story: we told my parents that we wanted to go for steak on Friday and asked which steak place on Northern Boulevard we should go to. On Thursday, when I rang my mother, she said "your father and I want to go to dinner with you tomorrow". Which meant that they paid--they wouldn't invite themselves and expect us to pay. Which is Good. But, we didn't ask for a recommendation in the hopes that they would pay, so I feel a bit guilty!! Steakhouses aren't cheap, but we thought we'd treat ourselves because you just don't get American style steak in the UK.) Anyway, we stuffed ourselves full of meat. I disgusted my parents as usual; they say I'm the only person they know who eats prime rib tartare. An exaggeration: my meat does meet the fire, albeit briefly. I also disgusted my grandma by eating most of my giant prime rib AND a huge quantity of french fried onions. It was lovely. ;) (And her nagging just made me contrary, like it always does.)

We skipped dessert and drove to the airport. Neil enjoyed his last experience of New York City asphalt (ha, ha).

Returned car, checked in (premium economy check in! Neil is silver tier and I think I am now too). Neil went to the bar to watch the baseball, I roamed around, then we got on the plane. Silly virgin did not assign seats when we booked. I'd tried to check them later but the system was down. So we got aisle and middle instead of aisle and window. :( I like the window seat so I have somewhere to rest my head. The flight was OK otherwise, got about 90 minutes sleep.

Heathrow sucks balls. We circled for 15 minutes, then landed. The pilot announced that we'd been forced to land at a "remote stand" and would require a bus. Remote turned out to mean "next to the T5 building site"!

I got to go on the EU line at immigration because I was with Neil. ;) Much faster than the visa line! Luggage, taxi, home, discover fridge, go to bed. Neil picked up Zoe. She's popular at the cattery, it seems.

Since our fridge was defrosting and we were knackered, dinner was local pizza/pasta place.

Today I slept late, then we braved Golders Green. It was mad. Rosh Hashana starts tomorrow night so everyone was shopping today. It took ages to find a parking space and the queue in the butcher shop was terrible. I've got to brave the bakery tomorrow as well :( And buy a new black hat, which I meant to get in the States but didn't. If I forget it will be black suit with pink & white hat which will look silly!

Still have to unpack and tidy up. Meh :(

I (and eldar) have been married for 1 year! (By the civil calendar, anyway... can we celebrate our Jewish anniversary too? :) )

(Jewish anniversary is 17 Tishrei - which will be 20 October this year)

They have changed the Panorama theme!!!

It turns out that I had taken the books out of the shopping bag and packed them in my suitcase, and forgotten about it. Ooops.

it's still here... does anyone still want it??