Martha's got nothing on me.

I am on house arrest today. This will be the fourth visit in 1 month that our boiler company will have to make. Once again, I was given a 9-12 window when the worker was supposed to show up to replace our boiler. Now it is 2pm, the house is freezing because the boiler has been turned off since 8am this morning (like the company told me to do), and I recently got off the phone with the boiler company who told me they are a bit backed up (oh, really...i hadnt noticed) and they were wondering if I wouldnt mind if they just came by "sometime" tomorrow morning instead of today. Um, no. Not having that. I used the strongest American voice that I have and told the man that they would come today, and there were no other options.

The last time this happened (about 2 weeks ago), our boiler was completely broken (only 2 weeks after its yearly overhaul), and our bedroom on the third floor was freezing. The company was due to come out on a Wednesday, but due to "heavy traffic" on the A14 they wouldnt be able to "come 'round" for 5 days (because Thursday and Friday were already booked). I huffed a little bit on the phone, but I let it go and decided I could be patient while freezing my butt off for the next 5 days. They showed up on Monday, spent 4 hours looking at the boiler and then told me it was likely to break again and that I should call the company that manufactures it to see if they might have a look at it. (What? ). So that brings us to today; my landlord decided the best option is to replace the boiler, so I wait at home anticipating another call about the backup on the A14.

Martha Stewart was on house arrest for over a year. Its been one day and I've already cleaned the house, frosted 6 dozen christmas cookies, and thought about organizing my closets. Now all I need is a pair of pleated khaki's and some insider trading hints and I might become the next Martha. That or I will go completely insane. Or maybe thats the same thing?

Summary of this blog: British customer service is about as efficient as a Hummer's gas mileage.

Random Thoughts.

First off...I am very excited because I finished and turned in my final paper and have now completed 1/5 of my degree!! Woohoo. No more class until January22nd=Erin is very happy and talking in the third person.


Second. Jonathan (and Sword) put together an amazing work Christmas party that we attended on Saturday night. SUPER fun, LOTS of wine and no drama. Except for the fact that I somehow managed to get whipped cream ALL over my brand new top that is dry clean only (DOH!).

Third. Jonathan and I spent Sunday walking around Cambridge doing some final Christmas shopping and just hanging out. We had yummy burritos for lunch at Manna Mexico (which are good, but nothing compared to BonFire burritos in Goldsboro). It was really cold out, but the sun was shining and with the Christmas lights out everywhere we had a great time. Its hard to believe that Christmas is here!!

And Finally. I know that England is actually just a small island, but WHY are the parking spaces here tighter than grandma's spanks>? I mean, seriously, I drive a DODGE STRATUS (SNL skit, anyone? anyone?) I actually drive a Mazda 6, which in the states is considered a sedan, but in England is a giant, unparkable BEAST. Jonathan had to get out of the car and ground guide me while I was pulling into a spot in a parking garage in Cambridge. It was an austin powers move times 7....I must have used a 40 point turn to get into that space which really annoyed the car waiting behind me and served as entertainment for the couple parked near us that decided to stand and watch the event unfold (thanks for that). So, my plea to England is to widen your parking spaces, PLEASE, so that I dont have to Boston Bump my way into spaces anymore.