Bonkers

As it gets closer to our move date, Stegen and I are spending the evenings perusing websites and trying to set up our utilities, cable, internet, and insurance. Back home, utilities were easy--PG&E was the place to go for gas and electric, and ACWD took care of the water. Here, there are over 15 websites (one of them is called "confused.com") for the sole purpose of helping you just compare all of your options! The number of energy providers is endless and they range from actual gas companies to grocery chains--bonkers!! 

Insurance doesn't get any easier, but is choosing an insurance company ever easy? We decided to move on to the seemingly less daunting task of setting up our cable and internet services. Come to find out, you not only have to pay your monthly bill to use the internet and watch cable TV, you're charged a "TV Licensing" fee too! Here's the blurb from the TV licensing website detailing (kind of) the reason you need a TV license:

"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder.
It costs £145.50 for colour and £49.00 for a black and white TV Licence."

Two hours on our computers and nothing has been settled--we are seriously "confused.com"!

**Note: No picture today! I met up with Mags and got to meet her sweet friend Rachel. We took all of the kids to an indoor play space called Cheeky Charlie's and spent the afternoon chatting. I've noticed that there's a lot less cell phone usage here than there is back in the US--at least when people are hanging out with their kids! Back home, it's rare to see people without their cell phone in hand..they're always either texting or taking pictures. Here, the parents are either engaged with their kids or with the friends that they're with (and people definitely don't use their phones while driving...it's too intense!). Before I knew it, the play date was over and I hadn't snapped any pictures. Audrey will be back with a new video tomorrow, though, so stay tuned.