First weekend

We spent our first night in the new flat on Friday, and had a great weekend moving and shopping. The place is shaping up really well, and it already feels like home.

We picked up a couple of pieces of furniture at Poverty Aid UK (same place where my dresser is from--brilliant stuff!). They'd just been brought in, and we snapped them up.


Little sideboard unit with 2 drawers and 2 shelves

Dining room table--very solid, classic design (some heat damage on the top, but it was only £40 and we can fix it and/or use a tablecloth...)

This is what it looks like with the extra panel in--it's huge!

Cookie is settling in well--she's been going around exploring the place in the evenings and sleeping on (or in) our bed most of the day.

Cute little glass bottles I picked up at Ikea--they match my glass Avon jar really well!

The bathroom already looks a million times better with just a new shower curtain and a new toilet seat.

Before pictures...

We got the keys to the new flat yesterday! First things first, I wanted to take some before pictures to show how it looks now, before we fix it up. It has a ton of potential, and I can't wait to see how great it's going to look with new paint/flooring/light fixtures, etc.

The worst one is the smaller bedroom/future office:

I don't know what she was doing to the walls...

I can see a lot of potential there, with the big window and deep sill

I have no idea why the flooring is gone...

The kitchen

The bathroom

The bigger bedroom

The tenant left a TV, but we're getting rid of it asap, so we don't have to get a license

The living room--note the wallpaper remnants. The carpet is actually in great shape, though!

I love the big windows & deep sills!

The panel there by the door is loose, and we're going to put glass in its place

Trip to Seattle

Snowy scene from the freeway--such a gorgeous welcome back to the Evergreen State!

First dress we tried on at Jessica McClintock

The winner--the color looks a bit off in this picture, but it's plum. I didn't take a picture of Mal's dress, but hers is plum and a slightly different cut (halter neckline)

I had a great time in Seattle, but it really was a whirlwind trip! Cookie was a fantastic little world traveler--she just curled up in her little carrier and slept while we were on the train. She's very happy here now, purring & cuddling with us. I'm so glad it's all worked out!

York

We went to York a couple of Sundays ago

Outside the Minster

Me

Richard

Piano busker--he was playing that Mozart song that's in Wuthering Heights & Pride and Prejudice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgq3OTSRVBc

Minster

We saw the Hogwarts Express engine! Unfortunately, it was getting dark out and this is the clearest picture I could get...

Platform 9 3/4 sign!

The warehouse has so much china from the trains...

Love this sign...

Phil Taylor Conference Photos

The Student's Appraisal Panel, with Cristina Archetti, me, and Nick Cull


Chatting with Paul Moorcraft during a coffee break (Tracey's in the background, too!)


Another shot of the student's panel, with Jacob (Phil's last PhD student to finish) and Elina (Israeli Prime Minister's Office)

At the conference dinner, I was sat between Stephen Badsey (Left) and Paul Moorcraft (right). I love this picture--you can see how Paul is monopolising my attention with his hilarious stories!

Mingling with the Vice Chancellor, Michael Arthur

During my talk about Phil's impact on my work & life

Briefing the MA student volunteers at the start of the conference


Lunch break, chatting with Kate Utting and Paul Moorcraft

A couple of group shots at the end of the first day



BBC's Kate Adie and Prof. Gary Rawnsley

Phil's Conference

The conference poster

This Friday & Saturday is the conference, at last! I'm so excited to meet Phil's friends and colleagues, and chat with these experts in my field. We met with the MA volunteers today and went over what needs to be done. It's going to be a busy couple of days, but I'm really looking forward to it!

Birthday at Chatsworth

On the drive down to Derbyshire, it started snowing.

We stopped for lunch, and this is how much came down by the time we were done eating!

The Carriagehouse at Chatsworth

Chatsworth parking lot, complete with Chatsworth sheep

Even the parking lot is beautiful...

Going into the house

The serpent is the Cavendish family crest

Inside Chatsworth

Love the Christmas decorations!

Chapel

Chapel ceiling

Lounge--sorry for the poor photo quality, but it was very dark and I tried to use the flash as little as possible

So much amazing artwork

Courtyard

The Painted Hall

The birthday girl at Chatsworth

The Painted Hall

In the library, they had all of the books related to Chatsworth--it looks like Mom's bookshelf! Bess of Hardwick, Counting My Chickens, etc....

The Library

My favorite statue--I just don't get how the veil really looks like sheer fabric...it's amazing!

The 6th Duke's Dining Room

So stunning! I love all of the silver & the chandelier

In front of the house

The South view of the house

Such a shame about the scaffolding, but it is off-season...

Emperor fountain

The Cascade

Richard & me in front of the Cascade

Gardens

Tomb (not sure who's in there...)

Sheep in front of the Carriage house

Carriagehouse courtyard

Our lovely hotel room in Buxton--with at least a dozen framed portraits of John Travolta on the walls

Despite the John Travolta decor, it really was nice--lovely bay window & four poster bed!

Snowing in Buxton!

View from the pub

View of the Peak District on our way home

The snow tapered off when we got to lower ground

You can still see the snowy higher ground in the background, though!