"Avante-garde is French for bullshit." - John Lennon

Things are still quiet on this end, but look for upcoming posts on:

* fabulous birthday celebrations
* truth, justice and the American way a.k.a. Genevieve does jury duty
* a possible trip to The Islands

Lucy has just rung to tell me that instead of coming to New York to visit me, she, Mum and J are going to Croatia and Bosnia for Fall half-term holidays. I've been dumped for this:

Is it really any wonder?!

I am so envious, I had heart palpitations when she told me. I haven't been to any new beautiful and exotic places this year. Wisconsin SO does not count. Aileen better make good on her promise to take me to Puerto Rico next spring. I'm almost tempted to go whole hog and blow the thousand bucks it would cost to go to Bermuda for my birthday. But I'm not that crazy just yet.

A quick update: we are all moved in to the new digs on Wall Street. We don't have a bed yet or a bookcase yet, but soon. Nearly done with the painting. The wall in our living room went up yesterday. I think I've run out of headaches. Oh happy day! I promise to post some pictures soon.

It's a little guy's birthday today

Jonathan was born seven years ago today. It was a Monday. It was a crazy day. Lucy rang at 6 am to tell me, "I have a son." Dad had to leave for Heathrow aiport shortly after to catch a flight home to Saudi Arabia. Mum arrived home from the hospital later in the morning. I remember helping her make the bed, we were in a bit of a daze, and she called me auntie for the first time. We made a dash to Mothercare to buy little person clothes - I couldn't believe how tiny the socks were - and at 3pm that afternoon I held my little friend for the first time.
I wasn't prepared for a little baby to come into my life. It meant complete upheaval at home, and truly, the flat - actually my whole life - has never been the same since. He looked like me. People used to stop the three of us in the street and tell my sister she had such a gorgeous little nephew. It’s the dark hair. We match. We spent four years together before I moved to New York. We had wonderful adventures, especially Barceloooona.

Now he’s seven. He’s the smartest kid in his class/school/county/the universe. He says prayers that could part the Red Sea if he so needed. He’s interested in everything: astronomy, history, trains, teletubbie custard. He talks about them all, without ever stopping for air. And most importantly – finally something we can take credit for – he knows his family loves him and he’s a happy, secure little boy.

Happy Birthday Jonathan!!

Eat your heart out Roger Moore! The world of knitting pattern modelling has a new star.
Michael is showing off my latest creation. My first creation, actually. I learned how to knit again while home in England and this is my first completed luxury wool garment. It's a 2 x 2 rib in splash chunky wool. It's gorgeous, if I do say so myself. I had a pattern for shaping the rounded crown, but it didn't make any sense, so I just made it up. And it worked. I couldn't believe it! I hope you are all in need of a new woolly hat this winter, because I'm on a roll.

WE GOT IT !!!!!!

I will be moving to 45 Wall St. They gave us the apartment. I am so happy, I could just about explode.

This has been the most stressful and draining couple of days in my whole life. I flew back to New York on Monday and have had rather bad jet lag and consequently very little sleep since. I've spent the last two days recruiting roommates and worrying, worrying, worrying about this apartment business. I haven't been eating. I've only had three meals since the dinner on my flight, and that count includes the lunch I'm gulping down as I write this. Even after we got the green light from the apartment company this morning, the stress wasn't over. Kelly and I had problems with money at the bank, and... well, it's all sorted now. Nor more stress, a nice dinner and a couple of tylenol PMs and that should ensure I get a proper night's sleep tonight at last.

It has been madness, but I have to say that it's all been survivable thanks to some much appreciated divine intervention and unending support from friends and especially my wonderful family. I'm a lucky girl!

My six-year-old nephew has just written his own primary talk. Is it really safe for any one child to be this intelligent??!

Must dash. It's 8.30, Jonathan's bedtime. We watch 30 mins of Thomas the Tank Engine together every night at this time. Nighty, night.