Mary Poppins’ Musings: The First Month

Posted May 27, 2016 by Prairie Wife - 7 comments

mary poppins snowmanSo, here I am. In sunny/windy/rainy/stormy/snowy Wyoming. I’ve been here only a few weeks and  I’ve already experienced every type of weather known to man!

I’m sure you’ve all read Prairie Wife’s blog post and have discovered why I’m out here (if you haven’t, read it now and take a moment to get caught up)…I’ve nicknamed her, “The Machine” – there is nothing this woman can’t do. I have some pretty big shoes to try to even partially fill during her recovery… which is (thankfully) going amazingly.

Anyway, as you’ll have gathered, I managed to arrive in less than two pieces. After a tearful goodbye with my Mum at Manchester airport, about 60 minutes spent sobbing into my (now stolen) aeroplane blanket and more than a few moments of sheer panic when the reality of what I was actually doing hit me, I was ready for whatever America had to throw at me – or so I thought.

My first impressions upon arriving at New York (the first of 3 American airports) were that the toilets were way too full and that people were way too loud. Neither of those impressions have changed much, although the ‘loud’ doesn’t bother me anymore… 5 kids will do that to you.

I mistakenly thought that coming over to America would be easy.

I assumed that having lived in Spain and Portugal and having visited a lot of Europe…that the US would be a breeze. At least here they speak my language, right?

I couldn’t have been more wrong!

I am learning everything all over again. I’m trying foods I’ve never tried, hearing words I’ve never heard, seeing things I never thought I’d see and let’s not even talk about driving on the wrong side of the road in a HUGE truck. It’s all been fun though, and I’m sure it’ll take a long while before the novelty wears off.

It’s not all been easy sailing, I’ve had a couple of bad days – I’ve been sad about a recent 3 year relationship breakup, I’ve missed a couple of my Mum’s hospital appointments and mainly it’s just hard being so far away from family and friends, The time difference doesn’t help either.

The kids certainly keep me occupied and have distracted me from my wallowing though. Well, the kids and a new puppy!

mary poppins and horsesI have had quite a few adventures since arriving. I’ve been pulled over by a sheriff for speeding (thankfully once I opened my mouth he forgave me, and instead of a ticket drew me a map so I could get back to the prairie homestead), I’ve started an actual search party (I went for a nap and didn’t tell anyone where I was), I’ve been up mountains, experienced a cowboy wedding, encountered all sorts of wild animals (not yet a bear) and I have met some amazing people.

I can also now change a nappy and wipe noses without vomiting. Those of you who know me will appreciate how hard it was for me to get over that part! I am also learning all about the circle of life. I experienced sheer horror watching the bloody family cat catch and kill a baby bunny. I am still not over that one…

I fear that my family won’t recognise me when I get home. I not only have new hair, but I have massive muscles after lugging around Cheeky Chops (LittleMissH as Prairie Wife calls her here on the blog) and actual calluses from real hard work and horse feeding. I now understand the term Hay Rage… Never again will I complain about an office job!

I really have touched lucky with this family.

mary poppins and cheekyThe kids are fantastic and I love them all already. If I were ever going to be ‘thrown into the deep end’ in taking care of 5 kids at once, I couldn’t have asked for better. They are the most well-mannered, well-behaved kids I have ever known. They are a credit to their parents – who are also fantastic and have made me feel so welcome. Prairie Wife is such an inspiring woman. I feel truly honoured to have been invited in to this beautiful family.

I am sure I have a lot more adventures to come… I am yet to learn how to ride a horse and shoot a gun and we also have another vacation coming up. Maybe this time I will see a bear!

Whatever happens, I’m confident that it’ll be hilarious and lots of fun – I am not ready to return to the UK just yet!

 

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7 thoughts on "Mary Poppins’ Musings: The First Month"

  1. Bennie says:

    Great guest blog Mary Poppins. I live in CT but work in NYC so I can only imagine your first experience at JFK airport. I’m glad you survived. Being Memorial Day weekend it’s Fleet Week here when BIG NAVY SHIPS come into port, tons of snappy sailors in uniforms are tourists and more local tourists come into the city so when I say it’s crowded IT’S CROWDED! Maybe on your return trip home you can spend a few days in NYC and be a tourist too.

    Thank you so much for helping our Prairie Wife and her family. I can almost see a Lifetime movie here. If you’re not familiar with Lifetime movies ask PW to explain it to you.

    It sounds like you are having a great time and experience out on the prairie. I don’t blame you about the cat/bunny incident, I’d be beside myself too. Enjoy and please do let us know of your many adventures.

    1. Vikki says:

      Thanks Bennie! I’d love to visit/experience NYC. Hopefully I’ll get to do that before I go back.
      Good luck with the tourists. If they’re anything like I was, they’ll mainly be lost/confused!

      As for the post/entire experience… I’m thinking Lifetime movie too. I’ve forgotten what the other example PW gave that it could have been – but I’m really glad it’s not that!

      I’ll try to make notes for another update. I’m sure there will be plenty more tales to tell…

  2. Pa says:

    “Good on you” Mary Poppins. You are also one tough cookie. It was a pleasure and a privilege to meet you, and I hope you keep enjoying the adventures. We enjoy watching you have them!

    1. Vikki says:

      Pa!
      Thank you so much for being my driving instructor & my American advisor in general.
      I hope I get to see you again before I leave!

  3. Kev says:

    Fantastic post, Vikki and what an experience for you. It takes a lot of courage to undertake this great new adventure and you know what? I’m deeply envious! Take care of yourself, I always look out for your updates 🙂

    1. Vikki says:

      Thanks Kev. Who’d have thought that lost girl in Fareham would have ended up being the lost girl in Wyoming.

  4. Karen says:

    So much fun to see Wyoming through your eyes! Thanks for sharing!

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