Back in the USA!!!

I'm so happy to be home, I'm not so happy that I woke up at 2am. Cash woke up about 3am and has been watching tv. We have also had some bowling matches in the office while trying to keep quiet because Evin is sleeping and has to go to work this morning. We got home about 8pm last night, the flights went well. It was sad to say goodbye to my dad in Houston but I'm happy he's got a good job in Austin. My dad and I had some interesting times at the airport. We also didn't have internet or phone access while in London. The highlights of our stay in London was Natural History Museum and the huge dinosaur bones that I couldn't capture in one picture, Portabello Road Market/Notting Hill and Kensington Gardens. The lowlights were 3hrs in Heathrow airport on Sat night just trying to check in for our flight and find out where we needed to be on Sun morning,the price and problems of having to depend on public transportation. It was a good thing we spent this time on sat night because we would not have made it to our flight on time. Heathrow airport is the most confusing unaccomadating that I have been to. I actually had a guy refuse to help me with my oversized carseat bag because it is against their policy to lift bags! I confirmed this was true, it is against UK law because if they hurt their back while on the job guess who pays! UK government. I also called for a help bus by following the instructions on a sign to be told that I have the wrong dept. and was told to find an information desk. I'm just glad I was traveling with my dad because there is no way I could have done it myself and would probably still be wandering around that airport like all the other people we met and saw! One more thing I have to say is good old Costco is not good in England, we got in the door with no problem, wandered around and found some items to purchase. At the checkout my Costco amex card worked for my membership info, when I tried to pay they said they didn't take American Express, when I tried visa my card it didn't have the right chip and wouldn't swipe. We didn't have enough cash to cover the purchase, so we tried the ATM which wouldn't take our card either because of this new UK chip, we had Dollars but they didn't want anything to do with them. I verified that Costco was an American Company which takes my Amex and visa card in the USA, they gave me some story about Amex costing them more to process through Amex UK . The manager was not willing to give us any options or help. My dad really wanted the stuff so we went back to town and got the dollars exchanged, at least they held our cart for us so we didn't have to go through the store again. Maybe I am wrong but doesn't Visa boast that anywhere you see the visa sign it is accepted, I have learned my lesson. The USA must be a lot more accomodating than other countries which is why we live here. I'm proud to live here and will not take that for granted. If anyone has any complaints with this country, I suggest you travel to another country. No country is perfect but I haven't found a better one yet (I'm open to suggestions though!). I also want to mention that Evin didn't understand my addiction with the sunday paper and threw away my coupons last Sunday (he also didn't see the recycle bin I have for the newspapers). I did make it home in time to save yesterdays papers, so if you see a crazy lady at Alberston's muttering quiet but harsh words to herself it's just me wishing I had those coupons. This blog is too long but I missed some days last week so I had to catch up. Will post pictures once I get unpacked. bye for now.d