Thanks to Starbucks, we have been able to ease the burden of jet-lag. There is one Starbucks in Norwich. But they are peppered across the US landscape like gas-stations. Some free-standing, some inside supermarkets, others with a drive-thru. All shilling highly caffeinated designer beverages with exotic names like Venti Iced Caramel Macchiato or Grande Chai Tea Latte. We're here in America, so we dove directly into the consumerism. Just easier that way!

We're currently in Eugene, at Nanny's house. Drove down here yesterday after I was finished bottling my aged barley-wine and cider (both of which I am VERY happy with, I might add... I can't believe I brewed that!). Anyway, after going to Old Navy to stock up on some clothing that isn't too small for me (as it has been in England and Belgium), Nanny took us to BJ's Brewhouse for dinner. Some good ol' tasty American fare, we each had the "Giant Stuffed Potato", mine of course accompanied by a pint of brewpub beer. My belly was about to burst by the time we left.

Today we spent the day with Kristen's Dad and Stepmom. Went to the 5th Street Market which is where we bought the rings we are wearing. It was the same jeweler, so we told her we had gotten married and still live in Europe. She polished our rings and reformed mine a bit because it had gotten a little bent when I smashed it against the metal buckle on this huge wooden trunk in our apartment in Belgium. She was jealous that we had escaped the Bush regime (a comment she had made the first time we were there). We talked a little bit about our favorite conspiracy theories regarding the Ohio ballots and about how a lot of people got upset about Bush getting a second term but now no one is talking about it anymore, you just don't hear about it. Anyway, probably the "coolest" jeweler we know (we don't know many). She must have been an "ex-hippie". She has that vibe about her.

After a dose of window-shopping, we went back to Dad'n'Bev's house and relaxed for the afternoon. Took a walk by the river. Had Christmas cookes and some other snacks. Now we're back at Nanny's vegging out in front of the tube. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is on in a little while, so we'll definitely watch that. It's not Christmas unless you watch Christmas Vacation.

"Tis the season to be Mary!"

Tomorrow we'll be spending the day with Dad'n'Bev again. Going to Picadilly Fleamarket and then to brunch.

-RP-