Winter

Time for another British take on America.

Let's start with that old favourite - the weather. It's supposed to be winter here. You know, cold, white, wholly unfamiliar territory for a softie Brit from the South Coast. Well, I'd call it decidedly unfamiliar. And I reckon most of the locals would agree with me on that. Yesterday was T-shirt weather. No, I'm not kidding. It's mid-late January and the weather was good enough for a spring day in the England. The temperature was up to 60ºF, or 16ºC for those who prefer.

Apart from the cold snap before Christmas, the weather has been decidedly unseasonal for the most part. It can get a little chilly at night, but when you can quite happily get by with no heating in the apartment in mid-January, something never possible when I lived back in Crawley, you have to think that it's a bit warm for the time of year. Of course, things could change in the blink of an eye and we have had storm scurry through here within a day. Still, while the weather stays unseasonal, I won't complain.

It's not easy being apart from Auds and Gaby. During the week, the long days give me something else to think about, while the phone calls and photos keep me smiling from ear to ear. People at work keep commenting that I haven't stopped smiling since I've been back and with two such great girls in my life, why would I?

Auds has kept her promise to send me at least one photo of Gaby every day that we're apart and she's been good as gold in making sure they get here. Even better is when I get to talk to the little'un over the phone in the evenings. Hearing her gurgle and giggle at the other end of the phoneline is just amazing, even if she does tend to try and eat the phone.

I just can't wait until the two of them come down to New Jersey. I miss being able to hold the baby. I miss looking into those baby blue eyes and having a little girl look back at me wondering "Who is that funny man and why is he looking at me?' I miss being able to take some of the weight from Aud's shoulders and help out with chores and the like. I know we're nearing the end of our separate roads, I just wish the speed limit was a bit higher.

The thing that keeps me going is knowing that soon I will get the chance to settle down, with two people who will make me happy, occasionally frustrated, quite possibly drive me nuts, but more than anything, will be my future. And that's worth everything.

Until next time I'm on here.

G