Better late than never...?

The V R at the top of this mailbox indicates that it was installed during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).  More commonly seen are E R post boxes (Queen Elizabeth II), so this one located in a small Northamptonshire village is a bit more special as a historical marker. 

I could be ashamed that it has been nearly a year and a half since my last blog post...But I can’t be bothered. Let me explain. 

First, it’s not as if I have a demanding readership (beyond close friends and family). And secondly, after my last post in August 2011, I became extraordinarily busy. I was (quite shockingly) accepted into a two year graduate program studying architectural history at one of Britain’s oldest universities. A daunting but exceptionally thrilling challenge for a mid-life mother of two who had spent nearly the entire last decade home raising children. I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to remember how to take good notes, write academic papers or keep up with the demanding reading lists. (Not to mention continuing the usual responsibilities at home of juggling kids schedules, endless laundry, meals, and a husband whose career often takes him out of the country leaving the rest of us to carry on). 

So, it was goodbye blog and hello grad school.

When I first started the site, my goal was to have a photographic and written record of our time spent living in the United Kingdom. I also thought it might be nice for others to be able to experience life here vicariously through us, especially those who may never have such a unique opportunity to live overseas. During the last 18 months, I was asked several times when I might post again. This always caught me by surprise. I didn’t realize anyone was actually reading this blog. I’ve been pleased to learn that at least two people outside of my immediate family are reading it... :) It is for those few people who asked that I have been storing up stories, pictures and places to share. Now that I am in the dissertation writing phase, it seemed like the best way to get in the writing mood... (read: Procrastinate). 

Stay tuned...