A winter storm system is blasting thru the Midwest this weekend making travel treacherous. Look for snow accumulations from 6-8" with the northern counties receiving up to 12" in some locations. There is a chance for sleet and freezing rain mixed in as well. In addition to the heavy snow winds will also be very strong and make travel and road clean up diffucult. Winds Saturday night into Sunday will gust to 35-40 MPH. With cold temperatures reaching only the mid 20's Sunday wind chills will be reaching into the low teens and even some single digits. If you have to be outside, dress accordingly. This can be a dangerous situation. Skies will clear Monday and into the first half of the coming workweek. Temperatures will also warm close to 40°.
I'M SURE THE FRIENDLY SKIES WILL BE SAFE!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
On our way home!
Our project finished up last night and we left everything in really good shape! We have a couple loose ends and i am sure a few more will develop in the next few weeks, but I think we left them with the best overall setup of any of our 3 subsidiaries. We ended up working just under 160 hours the past 2 weeks.
It was a good trip, but we are both anxious to be home (assuming the snow doesn't keep us from making it!). It seems like forever since we have been home. At the same time it has gone fairly fast when you look back at everything that has been accomplished. It is also pretty funny to think about how much more comfortable we are here after 3 weeks of finding our way in England. It doesn't seem strange to look the wrong way for cars when crossing the street, seeing double decker busses and ancient buildings everywhere, and riding the train everywhere we go.
We are going to head to a huge toy store and Piccadilly Circle in London. I would also like to see inside either St. Paul's or Westminster Abbey, but we might just not have time.
I hope you are all careful this weekend with the snow coming!! I can't wait to see you all!!
It was a good trip, but we are both anxious to be home (assuming the snow doesn't keep us from making it!). It seems like forever since we have been home. At the same time it has gone fairly fast when you look back at everything that has been accomplished. It is also pretty funny to think about how much more comfortable we are here after 3 weeks of finding our way in England. It doesn't seem strange to look the wrong way for cars when crossing the street, seeing double decker busses and ancient buildings everywhere, and riding the train everywhere we go.
We are going to head to a huge toy store and Piccadilly Circle in London. I would also like to see inside either St. Paul's or Westminster Abbey, but we might just not have time.
I hope you are all careful this weekend with the snow coming!! I can't wait to see you all!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Chicago Ice Storm
Darcee and I are checking the weather for heading home at 5 PM, so far it looks doable.
Monday, December 10, 2007
What a weekend!
Sorry I haven't been posting much or responding to emails either. This weekend was crazy. We ended up getting them switched over to the new systems before the start of work today, but it was a struggle. We worked 90 hours between the 2 of us Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The project is in good shape now though with just the detail work to do to finish things off.
Thanks for all the emails the past few days...it is great to know what you are all up to at home!
Thanks for all the emails the past few days...it is great to know what you are all up to at home!
Sunday, December 09, 2007
WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In exactly one week we will be landing in Chicago!!!! :)
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
A few pictures from around Leeds
It is only light here from 7:15 to 4:15 so all the pictures are night ones. Hopefully this weekend we will be able to see the city in the daylight!
I have often wondered what Apple Juice mixed with Pear Juice would taste like
Grocery stores are a bit different over here. They have most of the same things, but there are some differences. Probably the one you notice first at the ASDA (it's actually a Walmart...they bought the largest chain of grocery stores in the UK) is the 6 aisles devoted to alcohol. Apparently there is an international law about the total number beverage items a store can have because the ASDA makes up for all the alcohol by not selling any sport drinks and very few juices. As a result, I am drinking apple/pear juice this morning! ASDA also sells tuxedo's which is pretty surprising considering it is owned by Walmart.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Burnt Popcorn & an Elf named Elizabeth
Tonight I thought it would be fun to share a small bag of popcorn and read a new story before we laid down for a winters nap. But before our very eyes, the microwave was ready to blow with heavy smoke as I left the popcorn in too long and our minds were struck with fright of an Elf named Elizabeth watching us in the middle of the night.... Obviously the popcorn is not hard to explain but the Elf story?
I purchased "The Elf on a Shelf" book today at the gift shop. It is the cutest little thing. Well, I thought it was.... The story is about an Elf that is working for Santa during the Christmas season. Lauren named her Elf, Elizabeth. The Elf is really a boy but Elizabeth ended up the name... Elizabeth cannot be touched because she has "Christmas magic". Each day Elizabeth sits on her shelf and watches us to see if we are naughty or nice throughout the day. At night time she flies to the North Pole and reports to Santa while we are asleep. When we wake up in the mornings Elizabeth is suppose to be somewhere different than where we left her the night before. All through the season, we are suppose to whisper our wishes to Elizabeth. Christmas Eve is the last night we are to see Elizabeth as she flies to the North Pole to help Santa deliver all the gifts to the children for Christmas and then they start working on the new toys for next year.... Lauren loves Elizabeth; however, I believe Elizabeth now has her scared too death. Elizabeth is restricted not to enter Lauren's bedroom at nighttime. She is only allowed to watch Lauren during the daytime. Lauren has been assured that each morning when she awakes that Elizabeth will be "on her shelf" and not running free throughout the house. If you can't imagine the awestruck after I read the story, just remember the time when she thought that the Grinch was actually inside of the box she was holding.
A story that is so innocent has turned into a possible nightmare. I'm awaiting the yell for HELP as Elizabeth is dancing in Lauren's head running amuck instead of the excitement of Christmastime approaching.
Now I understand why it's so hard to keep Santa a secret....
I purchased "The Elf on a Shelf" book today at the gift shop. It is the cutest little thing. Well, I thought it was.... The story is about an Elf that is working for Santa during the Christmas season. Lauren named her Elf, Elizabeth. The Elf is really a boy but Elizabeth ended up the name... Elizabeth cannot be touched because she has "Christmas magic". Each day Elizabeth sits on her shelf and watches us to see if we are naughty or nice throughout the day. At night time she flies to the North Pole and reports to Santa while we are asleep. When we wake up in the mornings Elizabeth is suppose to be somewhere different than where we left her the night before. All through the season, we are suppose to whisper our wishes to Elizabeth. Christmas Eve is the last night we are to see Elizabeth as she flies to the North Pole to help Santa deliver all the gifts to the children for Christmas and then they start working on the new toys for next year.... Lauren loves Elizabeth; however, I believe Elizabeth now has her scared too death. Elizabeth is restricted not to enter Lauren's bedroom at nighttime. She is only allowed to watch Lauren during the daytime. Lauren has been assured that each morning when she awakes that Elizabeth will be "on her shelf" and not running free throughout the house. If you can't imagine the awestruck after I read the story, just remember the time when she thought that the Grinch was actually inside of the box she was holding.
A story that is so innocent has turned into a possible nightmare. I'm awaiting the yell for HELP as Elizabeth is dancing in Lauren's head running amuck instead of the excitement of Christmastime approaching.
Now I understand why it's so hard to keep Santa a secret....
Pictures from Dad!
Dad sent these great pictures of Lauren and Chris last night and I thought I would post them so everyone could see them too. Hey...what happened to that little girls bangs??? :)
Monday, December 03, 2007
Christmas at the Museum
Christina & Lauren came to stay with Tom, Rachel & I on Saturday. We had a fun day and stayed inside out of the cold and rain. Sunday Lauren joined Rachel in Sunday school while we went to church. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then were off to the Children's Museum to see Santa and the Yule slide. The girls played in the ice castle and raced down the Yule slide. Of course we couldn't miss the carousel. The girls had fun playing in the water in the science area and petting the robot puppy. It was quite a time but of course not the same without Brad and Grammy & Pa.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Where are all the garbage cans??
We spent 2 days walking all over London and now 3 days in Leeds and you can never find a garbage can when you need it. I don't know how they keep both cities clean because there are just no garbage cans. In the Chicago and NY subway there is a garbage can every 5 feet. We were in probably 10 subway stations and 4 train stations and I didn't see a single garbage can.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Almost forgot...
Funniest exchange of the trip....
Stuart: What is this place?
Police Officer: A street (I was thinking Earth when Stuart asked the question)
After laughing he told us that we were in front of the Treasury Office.
Stuart: What is this place?
Police Officer: A street (I was thinking Earth when Stuart asked the question)
After laughing he told us that we were in front of the Treasury Office.
Heading out
We are heading for Kings Cross train station and a 50 pound taxi ride (don't do the conversion!!). We should be in Leeds by the time everyone wakes up.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
More pictures tomorrow
I have a few more to put up tomorrow...but I need to head off to bed! We have to get up for the train in less than 4 hours. Sorry about the sideways pictures!!
Go Illini!!
I wore an Illini sweatshirt today while we walked around and within 15 minutes of getting off the subway 5 separate people said Go Illini!! One even did the ILL INI chant. It was pretty cool running into Illini fans in London.
Everyone is very friendly here and although the news would have you believe otherwise they really seem to like Americans and America. We ate with some friends of Stuart's tonight who were very nice.
We walked all over London today. I think we covered over 6 miles on foot and probably 45 in trains. It took us 2 hours to get back from dinner as we ate on the far side of the city in a little pub. We were able to see Buckingham palace, the changing of the guards, the Horse Guards, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the London Eye, all the the major London bridges, the Tower Bridge, London Tower, and St. Paul's Cathedral (the Bird Lady wasn't around though). All in all it was a great day!!!
Everyone is very friendly here and although the news would have you believe otherwise they really seem to like Americans and America. We ate with some friends of Stuart's tonight who were very nice.
We walked all over London today. I think we covered over 6 miles on foot and probably 45 in trains. It took us 2 hours to get back from dinner as we ate on the far side of the city in a little pub. We were able to see Buckingham palace, the changing of the guards, the Horse Guards, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the London Eye, all the the major London bridges, the Tower Bridge, London Tower, and St. Paul's Cathedral (the Bird Lady wasn't around though). All in all it was a great day!!!
Broken Gadgets
Well, I received emails today saying that the camera is broken. Since I haven't seen any new photos or blog entries, I'm being to think that it is user error. Can't wait to see the 200 plus photos you took. :-)
Miss you,
Chris
Miss you,
Chris
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Things I have learned in London so far
1. When riding a bus looking for the trains to downtown don't get off when you see a subway sign. Subways in London are just tunnels under busy roads. Look for the Underground sign instead.
2. Carhart jackets can be worn in London with pride...too bad I left mine at home!
3. It's an amazing sight to walk of the Underground station look up and see Big Ben looming over you.
4. All iPods sold in the last 5 years were actually purchased by people in London. Every person on the Underground was listening to one.
5. The exchange rate blows.
6. We pay way to much for our cell phones in the US. For the equivalent of $20 a month they can get 1000 minutes and 1000 text messages. Not to mention the free smart phones they can get!!!
7. Apparently the like soccer here.
8. The people are really friendly and helpful!
2. Carhart jackets can be worn in London with pride...too bad I left mine at home!
3. It's an amazing sight to walk of the Underground station look up and see Big Ben looming over you.
4. All iPods sold in the last 5 years were actually purchased by people in London. Every person on the Underground was listening to one.
5. The exchange rate blows.
6. We pay way to much for our cell phones in the US. For the equivalent of $20 a month they can get 1000 minutes and 1000 text messages. Not to mention the free smart phones they can get!!!
7. Apparently the like soccer here.
8. The people are really friendly and helpful!
What we saw tonight!!
It was a beautiful night in London!! We rode the London Eye and had an incredible view of the city! Tomorrow we are going to see what it looks during the day.
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