"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly"

--Thomas Paine

Things I esteemed too lightly in America, things which were also relatively cheap, I missing terribly today.

Jason is still gone, I've lost count of how long he has been gone-its been over 15 days really since he's spent any time with us. The kids are missing him and acting up (just what I need) He returns tomorrow, but the relief is short lived as he will be off to Spain next week. I had to turn down the kids' requests to have a friend over after school today-the thought of more kids in the house, creating huge messes and noise was just more than I could handle today.

At this point I am done washing dishes and making dinner-however, the UK isn't quite as convenient as the US in relieving a tired parent. Paper plates, if you can find them, are meant for birthday parties only, therefore the cost is enough to prevent purchase. I've already used up the last I had from Griffen's birthday. So for dinner-I think it will be cereal tonight. If we were back home, I can think of a many number of take-aways to give me a break. Not so here. In our village we only have the pub. The next closest villages-same thing, pubs. There is a McDonalds next to the petrol station-but it makes us all sick to even think of it. I could go for a CPK, Pick Up Sticks, Chili's, Baja Fresh, Sharky's, Habit, Rubios, Amecci, or even BJ's right about now. Even Trader Joes would be a relief (of course a freezer in which to store prepared foods would be nice too).

I can get some prepared food here-but the only grocery store that carries decent food is about a 20 minute drive from here and my choice is Indian (National Cuisine) or Pizza. I do have a nice bottle of wine and some cheese, but I have to take Kaitlyn to Brown Owl's in an hour, so that will have to wait.

So--the next time you buy a stack of 200 paper plates for $2, or choose from the endless supply of eateries when you don't feel like cooking, think of Thomas Paine.