An end and a beginning...

We haven't been updating our blog too much recently and I apologize. We've been in limbo since we've moved home from Edinburgh but we finally have some clarity. We are moving to Texas! Austin to be precise. I will be running a private company that develops software and firmware for the fueling industry. Stacie and I are both excited and as many of you know Stacie has a Texas connection having attended Baylor University.

Just this week we finalized our rental home and tomorrow we're getting our car (since we sold both of ours prior to moving overseas). The movers came and loaded all of our kit (Scottish for stuff) this morning and Monday we will hit the dusty trail to Austin. We'll meander our way South, stopping in Boise and Jackson Hole to visit good friends along the way.

Like the latest chapter of our life, this blog has come to a close, but we invite our faithful readers to follow along with us at http://salesinaustin.blogspot.com/

See you in Austin!

-Kyle

Family Reunion

After an entire year of separation, our little family has finally been reunited. Our sweet Mercedes has been living in Spokane with Kyle's mom for the past year, while Deacon got to travel abroad with us! We've been lovingly referring to her as "Timmy" (i.e. Timothy Lahaye from the 'Left Behind' series, if you are familiar with the novels).

Best buds again!

The Deacon-Mercedes reunion was not initially as happy as we had hoped. Mercedes was not too thrilled to see her older bro, but after a day she came to her senses and has been laying all over him ever sense. Thankfully, she was quite excited to see us! Leave it to a dog to make you feel like you're some kind of celebrity or something!

Kyle & I couldn't resist a little photo-shoot in the 'new' (used lightly here as you can see) family car. It feels good to all be back together again!

Kyle and "the kids" in the Beetle

-Stacie

Back in the States

Well, we are officially back in the States spending time with friends and family and it feels good! We flew from Edinburgh to Virginia and spent a little over a week with my family. One day we went down to Colonial Williamsburg with my good friend Katie and her boys Chase & Brooks.

Colonial Williamsburg

Katie & Me in Williamsburg

Kyle & I felt very nostalgic when we went in the 'Scotland House'. Katie even bought us a can of Haggis to enjoy here!

In front of the Scotland House

Kyle & Brooks playing with dinosaur eggs (aka rocks)

Katie & Me in the stocks!

During our week we also went to Harrisonburg to visit my brother Justin at JMU. He is a freshman this year! It is still blowing my mind that he is all grown up. I still think of him as being a little kid, but as you can see those days are long gone!

Justin & Kyle on campus

Last time we were in Virginia my parents had just gotten a german shepherd puppy named Moses. We were reunited this trip and now I am missing him! He's HUGE, but super sweet and endearing. After he got used to us, he followed us around the house looking for an ear scratch or tummy rub.

Sweet little Mo-Mo

We are now back in Spokane hanging out with Kyle's family. We should be here for the next few weeks- we'll keep you posted on our future plans!

-Stacie

Miltary Tattoo

Our last night in Edinburgh Kyle & I went to see the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. A military tattoo is a performance by a military band. As part of the annual festival in Edinburgh, they have hosted a Tattoo for the past 60 years. It included military bands from all over the world and is performed on the esplanade of the Edinburgh Castle. The event is viewed by over 200,000 people each year and has sold out for the past decade. Needless to say, it was quite spectacular.

Performers from China

Highland Dancers

Scottish Pipe Band

Swiss Drumline

Grand Finale

Fireworks

-Stacie

Three hundred and sixty one...

...that is how many days it has been since we arrived in Edinburgh on our European adventure. Now, it seems like a blink of an eye and it is over. Kyle has finished his MBA and we are leaving one adventure for the next- a job. No job yet, but that's why it's called an adventure!

We feel so blessed to have been able to live in the UK and see all the amazing things we have gotten to see while we've been here. It changes you to experience a different culture this way and I think we will both return with a new / greater perspective on life.

Tonight we're headed to see the 'Edinburgh Military Tattoo'. A performance held at the castle featuring military bands from all over the world, with over 200 pipers. It is supposed to be phenomenal. We'll post more about it from Virginia.

Bon Voyage,

Stacie & Kyle

Fringe Festival

Every August Edinburgh hosts one of the largest arts festivals in the world. There are hundreds of shows you can go to varying from comedians, musicians, acrobatics, dance- the list goes on. Kyle & I have gone to a few shows and enjoyed all the free street performers as well. Here are a few photos from around town:

Speed Dating

Spooky Street Performer

Crowd Enjoying Acrobatics

'Lord Livingstone' - Classic

Street (or offroad) Musician

Flyers

The city is teaming with people promoting venues and shows which means it is impossible to walk 10 feet without having a flyer shoved into your hand. It's a fun and festive atmosphere and we've enjoyed taking it in during our last week here in Edinburgh.

-Stacie & Kyle

Homeward Bound

It's hard to believe that our adventure in Scotland is coming to an end soon. It feels like just yesterday that we stepped of the plane and started our new life here in Edinburgh. It has been an exciting, fun and challenging year to say the least. Kyle & I are both feeling rather bittersweet about having to say goodbye to Edinburgh, but we are looking forward to going back home and being much closer to friends and family.

One week from today we will close the door to our flat for the last time and board our flight back home. Our first stop is Virginia to spend some much needed time with my family. I haven't seen my brother or grandparents in over a year and am really looking forward to being able to see them again! After labor day, we are then headed to Seattle. We'll most likely be in Seattle for a few days while Kyle does some interviewing and then the plan is to head to Spokane where will stay indefinitely until Kyle finds a job.

The prospect of going home without a job, is a little daunting. But currently there are quite a few irons in the fire and we both feel very encouraged that the Lord will provide. Needless to say, it is still exciting times in the Sale household! Even though it won't be 'Sales in Scotland' for much longer- we plan to keep the blog going until all is settled and Kyle has a job.

-Stacie

Signspotting

Every August, Edinburgh hosts what is known as the 'Edinburgh Festival'. The festival holds the world record for the largest arts festival and dates back to 1947 when it was established as a post-war effort to boost moral. There are countless events that you can attend including opera, orchestra, musical theatre, comedians, magicians, open-air markets, street performers and anything else you can thing of really! We saw a pretty funny exhibition of signs collected from around the world. Each sign has a funny caption (not written by us, fyi) and a note of where it was spotted. We got such a kick out of them we thought we'd post them for you to enjoy as well.

"Just add a little water and those Bay area pedestrians start slipping right out of your hands."

San Francisco, USA

"We know a street when we see one."

Wisconsin, USA

"What happened to equal opportunity pain inflictors?"

Warwick Castle, England

"Interesting...Cassowary birds are a better speeding deterrent than police."

Queensland, Austrailia

"Nature is calling."

Maine, USA

"Keep your hands away from the cages. You may be clawed, bitten or covered in drool."

Isle of Eriska, Scotland

"There's something over there, but we're not sure what it is."

Zemah, Israel

"Well, at least you know where it is now."

Batalaha, Portugal

"Sadly, the irony is lost on the bears."

Laos

"Well, the parishioners have been duly warned."

Vermont, USA

"Messiah Crossing?"

Ireland, UK

"Without this sign, you'd never know that you need to increase your speed to clear the rocks below."

Chiayi County, Taiwan

"How many unattended relatives, you suppose, rolled to their tragic fate before local officials were prompted to put up this sign?"

St. Lucia, South Africa

"Police are cracking down on either swearing or flagrant punctuation abuse."

Virginia, USA

"Warning: spectacular accidents ahead."

Mertola, Portugal

"Translating is clearly prohibited at the Karlstejn Castle. Or as the sign says in Czech just above the English, "Translating Prohibited"."

Prague, Czech Republic

"Better fasten your seatbelt."

Wellington, New Zealand

"Only authorized unauthorized visits."

Utah, USA

"Have you ever wondered what you'd get if you combined a flea market and a funeral parlor?"

Georgia, USA

"Left lane for mid-life crisis; Right lane for abandoning New Year's Resolutions."

London, England

"Here's an interesting reflection on Western Society: we even having parking spots for people who have just made a conscious decision not to park."

Wisconsin, USA

"Executives battle over animal feeding."

Johannesburg Zoo, South Africa

"Fallen pedestrians will be fined."

Forbidden City, Beijing, China

"Tastier than caged children."

Scotland, UK

"Here at the Optimist Club, people see the Cape half full."

North Carolina, USA

"They don't call it a safety ladder for nothing. Or, on second thought, perhaps they do."

Alaska, USA

"Your vehicle will rise up and get an oil change. All traffic violations will be forgiven."

Wisconsin, USA

"Sometimes it might be easy to forget that people are just as baffled by our toilets as we are by theirs. I have yet to see a sign in a squat toilet instructing people not to sit directly on the hole in the floor though."

Ankor Wat, Cambodia

Hope that made you laugh, it sure did us! We'll be posting more of the stuff we see over the next two weeks. Post a comment and have a vote on your favorite one. I like the translated sign of 'Translating Prohibited' and Kyle most enjoyed 'Optimist Club of Cape Fear'.

-Stacie