A Note to My Former Self

Hi there, self —

Just me here at home, with a brief note since you’re still on holiday. I’ll start with those breakfast pastries, followed by the credit card bill, and then wrap this up with a few miscellaneous items. Ready? Okay.

Turns out that a cappuccino and an almond croissant make a decent, low impact meal. Who knew, right? Those do not contribute to the ten pounds you expect to gain, nor will the meat pasties or the clotted cream. Go ahead, enjoy — you’re going to eat them anyway. In fact, make an effort to get your hands on more scones. Almond croissants are plentiful back home; clotted cream not so much.

Speaking of holiday indulgences, the credit card bill was not greater than the funds you squirreled away to cover it. Whew! It’s too late now, but you could purchase those pewter earrings from Edinburgh. And – shoot! Shopping for a summer wardrobe at White Stuff is okay, too! (You’ll need to jettison a few things to keep your carryon bag legal – the knit tees, your black “granny” shoes, all the socks. You’re sick of them anyway.)

As for the miscellany, I’ll just mention a few things, so you can try to go back to sleep:

1. You’ll never know who wins the Great British Bake-Off, Season 8. Sadly, Netflix doesn’t carry that one in the US. Maybe Jessica can fill us in; personally, I’m pulling for Ian. Loved his flower-pot bread sculpture.
2. Spending Thursday night at Hilton, Heathrow T-5, was a great plan. But, get ready for an hour wait for the shuttle (yours will drive by without stopping), a wait for your gate notice, a wait in queues on the tarmac, queues in US customs lines, queues for the Seatac concourse shuttles, queues for the airporter, traffic on I-5. You’ll arrive home 17 hours after you leave London.
3. Fred Meyer is remodeling, and nothing will be where it was a month ago. Make that ClickList now and stay away from the store. Lastly,
4. When you invite all the kids over for dinner Saturday night, remember to take the roasted potatoes out of the oven. They won’t be any good Sunday morning.
5. Oh, one more thing! Percy Pigs and Peppa Goes to London are a hit. The queen drives a double-decker bus through the city and across the open Tower Bridge. What a hoot.