Anicent Chinese Secrets

Happy Chinese New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Ox.

Let's just see what the Chinese have to say about Will and I and our impeding union.... According to US Bridal Guide:

The Year of the Rooster (Will)

The Rooster is a flamboyant personality, feisty and obstinate. He is quite the extrovert who loves to strut his stuff and is proud of who he is. Outwardly confident, the Rooster is also a trustworthy, hardworking individual. He’ll tell it like it is with no qualms or reservations.

THE EARTH ROOSTER 1909 AND 1969

This Rooster is overtly organized. He is a little reserved and quite careful in his decision-making. These Roosters are hard workers as well, and can handle several tasks at once. They are detail-oriented who are quite efficient and self-sufficient. They take on responsibility without a cause and are motivated only in wanting to be successful. Sometimes they can be abrasive with colleagues if work is not up to their standards. This can cause resentment, so the Earth Rooster must be careful in his approach of his point of view, being sure to be honest and still kin

MARRIAGE

Roosters are not extremely easy to live with. However, if you can get past their bossy, obstinate, my way or no way exterior, you find a wonderfully romantic, caring individual hidden beneath. Their hearts are made of solid gold and they genuinely care abut their family and friends as mush as they care about themselves (believe it or not!). They are not suited for a sensitive partner, again, their candor and wit can be humiliating at times. Roosters can be highly critical of their partners, often expecting too much of them.

THE ROOSTER LOVE PARTNER

Roosters need a stable companion, one who can take everything he dishes out. He needs someone who will stand up to him and his mincing words and out him in place when need be. Roosters also need partners who will deflate them when they are a bit too high on themselves and who can take their constant boasting.

The Year of the Tiger (Me)

The Tiger is said to be lucky vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the Tiger is his incredible bravery, evidenced in his willingness to engage in battle or his undying courage. Maybe he’s so brave because he is so lucky. But the Chinese say a Tiger having a Tiger in the house is the very best protection against the evils of fire, burglary.

THE WOOD TIGER 1914 AND 1974

The Wood Tiger is more adaptable to working with others and therefore does not demonstrate the typical "take charge" attitude of other Tigers. The Wood element adds stability, giving him warmth of character that draws people in and makes the Tiger a popular person. They are not selfish creatures and will give their time, attention or possessions to anyone in need. These Tigers bring a solid practicality to any problem. They can control their urges to completely take over, letting others do the work. They must be aware of their slightly volatile tempers and short attention spans, and not let those characteristics get the best of them or cause them or their loved ones undue pain.

MARRIAGE

Once a Tiger has committed himself to you, he can tend to want to dominate or lead you. This is a natural nurturing mechanism and must be kept under close watch to avoid complete control. For the negative effects a Tiger can have on his partner, there are a zillion positive things he will bring to the relationship. Trust, passion, politeness and spontaneity are only a few characteristics of the Tiger mate.

Partners in Love:

Rooster*Tiger

Both are strong-willed which can make for some difficult roads ahead.

Tiger*Rooster

Little communication causes big issues.

We are possibly doomed....cuz all of this stuff is true, right?

My Hobby

Anyone who knows me knows that usually I am home nights, cross stitching.  I am sitting on the sofa, though lately it's been right by the fire, "watching" TV or a movie, sewing.  (Now, you understand why I go through a lot of Netflix.) 

It is always Beatrix Potter characters and for a friend's baby who usually has come way before I have chance to finished. So, the present is a litte late but it's the thought that counts. Right? 

After every project, I have to reorganize and straighten out my thread, especially if I have had to buy additional colors, to stick in my binders that hold nicely all of the colors. 

Would you believe that I don't have all the colors?  I have recently finished one project and will start another shortly... and yes, I have to go and get additional colors. 

And Later in the Day...

...After Will ate his breakfast, elevensies, lunch, snack, and teatime....

Before and After

Red Current Scones for breakfast!  Delicious...

Good to Know: England takes Visa to get a Visa

Apparently I need a visa to marry Will in England. These Brits, I tell you, they don't let just anyone marry them in their own country. The good thing is one can apply online. I had give them all sorts of information: how many, when, and why I have visited foreign countires; income statement; family info; blood type; name of first pet; preference for the bacon butty or Scotch egg; the genealogy of the Queen;... the list goes on and on...

An hour later and at the cost of $116.00, I have completed, finally, the online application.

Once I clicked "done", I then printed off the application. Next, I must show up in person with Will for an appointment in February to an office in Alexandria with paperwork, passport, and acceptable passport photo to obtain permission to get a visa. Afterwards, I will have to send more paperwork and granted permission (yes, I am assuming it will be granted) within two weeks of the appointment to a consulate in New York. After that, I guess I await for the visa to be sent in the mail.

All of this when we live three blocks from the British Embassy. Literally, three blocks. I pass it on the way to work...

Snow!

It snowed here today and our office closed at 3:30 pm. Currently, it is snow-raining.  Though, to be fair, it isn't as bad as in Kentucky. I am sure that all the Obama folks in town from Chicago are laughing at us Washingtonians and our weather-fearing, school-closing, moisture-aversion to snow and sleet. 

Our Version of Toast

We can toast FOUR slices of bread at once now!!  We have enough power in the kitchen to do this.  Before we couldn't.  Toasting four pieces of bread tripped the fuse, overdrawing the power as the kitchen shares the same circuit as the basement, the upstairs hall, the guest bath, our bath.... you get the idea.  We fixed heaters in the basement, which had their own circuit, so Kelly wouldn't need to use the space heater. Not using the space heater freed up enough power so that Will and I can have four slices of bread become four slices of toast AT THE SAME TIME.  And Kelly is warm!  Ahhhh, fabulous. 

To celebrate, we had BLTS, which required eight pieces of toast. Just inconceivable with a normal 2 slice toaster.