This is Russborough House, considered to be the most beautiful house in Ireland. This was my first stop after landing in Ireland. The weather was great, overcast, but comfortable. Brilliant!
http://www.heritageisland.com/attractions/russborough-house/
The day started WAY too early! Especially after GES and I were up all night talking about Christmas movies!
EJS decided she was going to wake me and try to scare me with her orange vampire teeth…eeek! Then it was up for the last soccer game of the season, or so we thought, next week there is a make-up game. The game continued, even after the freezing rain started and I must tell you that EJS is a beast on the field! So very proud of her!
On the way home, stop at the local farmers market for treats! Apple cider donuts, scones and bagels, yum! One donut on the way home of course! At home, get ready for play date number one. Then JS and AS show up to hang out and after a while, dad and I head out to Walmart, I need some tubs for my stuff.
Back home, I drop dad and the stuff, realize I forgot something and headed out and found GES, not that she was lost or anything, but the day after Halloween is a must to shop for deeply discounted stuff for next Halloween, of course! I got home and DB was there with her two adorable kids, N and Baby A, what a couple of doll babies. You know Auntie J loves to play with the babies! This was also play date number two for the day.
JS and ACS came home while we were all visiting and eventually DB and the kids left, then it was time for GES and ACS to get ready for their night out to dinner with friends. About 6:30, it was egg and cheese sandwiches on english muffins for everyone left at home while watching futball and How to Train Your Dragon 2. After the movie it was time for books and bed, there were wee tots ready for sleep!
Lots of laughter of course, especially when I was helping MGS get into her pj’s and she ended up with both legs in one! That resulted in uproarious fits of laughter. And again, EJS was so generous when MGS couldn’t find her “lovey” [something they each have in different colors that they sleep with] and EJS said “That’s ok, I always have a spare!’ What a good big sister!
Eventually the kids were asleep and dad and I hung on the sofa watching bad tv mingled with some sports while I nodded off here and there, thinking about sleeping. After the parents got home, everyone went to bed and guess who “woke up”! Laundry, packing, clearing off the bed. And here it is almost 1am and I’m still talking to you! I am beat!!!
When do we set the clocks back?
Good night!
Oh how I wish I could show you pictures of my fantastically adorable family!
Halloween is such a great day, so much fun! Steeped in a long great history, mystery, fright, fun, color, pumpkins, candy, treat, tricks, costumes, legends, ghost stories, tradition.
If you were raised in the north, do you remember trick-or-treating when it was freezing out and you wore your costume over your snow suit, that plastic outfit and the hard plastic mask that had two small eye holes and teeny nose holes, you couldn’t see or barely breath, but you were so stoked to get the costume, you tried to sleep in it?
I have always loved Halloween, it’s so much fun. When I was with the wasband, even before we got married, we loved to celebrate Halloween. We used to throw the biggest Halloween parties, decorated the house BIG time! There were some kids who didn’t even want to come up the path! It was awesome. Needless to say, love Halloween.
I even sent a note to the tenants renting my house telling them what Halloween was like in my neighborhood, crazy amounts of kids, love it! Need lots of candy!
This was the first year I got to spend Halloween in Boston with my family and it was terrific! One of the joys I have is that I am the Halloween Costume Fairy! I get to get the costumes for EJS, MGS, Miss A, Baby A [I won’t be able to call him that much longer!], LB and her baby sister, L, how lucky am I. And…this year, I even got to buy a costume for my sister!
Miss A was Dorothy and SDL made her wheelchair look like a tornado with the house on top! LB wanted the family to go as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Baby A was Harry Potter! What a bunch of cuties! Want to get on Auntie J/G/JJ’s Halloween Costume Train, you let me know!
So…I asked what the girls wanted to be for Halloween and MGS says she wants to be Elsa from Frozen, EJS wanted to be Olaf, go figure! ACS was going to be Sven, the reindeer and GES was Anna, she had to have a costume. What a great looking family!
Dad picked up EJS early from school and then we took her to karate, a yellow belt needs her practice! Then we picked up pizzas on the way home and waited for everyone to show up. And by everyone, I mean several of the usual cast of fabulous characters! We ate, laughed, light the Shabbat candles, did the blessings over the candles, challah and wine. It’s nice to be with family at this time.
Then it was time for everyone to put on their costumes, if they hadn’t already, and what a sight to see! We had the cast from Frozen, The Incredibles family, a cat, a clown and S&A were a T-Bird and Pink Lady, awesome!
It was time to get out there and go door to door and trick-or-treat! The girls, as they’ve gotten older now go up and down the block and then around the block, so we kind of split off, EJS and I with HS, her dad and PK went to the right and everyone else went to the left.
It was nice walking with the kids trick-or-treating, meeting other families, kids in adorable costumes, so many people said to EJS when she went by “Hi Olaf!” Too funny!
I have tell you about something EJS did and I was so proud of her! A lot of the houses, just like this one, who have younger kids and go out trick-or-treating earlier, will leave out bowls of food, some with a note, some not “Please be courteous and leave candy for other kids”. I’ve never seen that, but so many houses did that and these kids were very respectful and only took a piece or two, didn’t go crazy.
So…my niece…there was a house that had a sign and a bowl and the bowl was empty, what did EJS do? She added a few pieces of candy to the bowl! Is that the most awesome thing you’ve ever heard of? So very proud was I and of course, the family when i told them.
Then it was back to the house to check out the stash, it was great, GES was trying to get through on the walkie talkie and EJS said “Are you done?” GES asked “Are you reviewing your stash?” “Yes” “Oh, ok, got it!”
Then eventually, everyone was back at the house for some snacks and of course, some candy! Reviewing the day, playtime and then off to bed!
Now, it’s about 2am and GES and I have been sitting on the couch watching shows on DVR and now Christmas movies! And reminiscing about all the Christmas movies we love, especially the Hallmark ones, we are addicted! OMG!
What a day it was!I am so excited that I was here to see the costumes in person and go trick-or-treating! It felt good when the girls asked me a few weeks ago if I would be here for Halloween and I could say yes. Here I am!
Happy Happy Halloween! Boo!
Today I traveled home for the weekend to Boston.
The day started very early, as it has every morning this week and will be for the next 7 months, Mondays through Thursdays. Work, then head to the airport, best part…upgrade to first class on my flight home! Wahoo! Go United Airlines!
This was a pleasant turn of events after a fall this morning! We came out of the parking deck, I took a step onto the concrete and went down, straight onto my knee. Knee is scuffed up, lost some skin, but my pants…not a scratch, awesome!
Got to the airport and breezed through security because of TSA pre-check, love it! Security was crazy! Got through, got a delicious green shake at Jamba Juice, yum! Got on the plane, turned left and settled into my first class seat, warm towels, warm bowl of nuts, warm chocolate chip cookie [I couldn’t eat the dinner offered, nothing for a veg-head, not a big deal], got to Boston, was met by my friend PK, who was wonderful to give me a ride home.
When I got there, said hello to the kitties, put my stuff in the basement and then GES came downstairs, I wasn’t sure if I would see her tonight, but I did and it was great to catch up. I so love my sister, we get to be grownups together and still can be silly. We talked about how my wardrobe that she helped me pick out went over, talked about grown up clothes and then she finally had to say uncle, she was ready for be. You know me, I could have gone on all night, right?
The best part, after wishing her a good night, hugging and kissing her, I went upstairs and snuck into each of my nieces rooms to kiss them goodnight. Oh my are they so sweet and cute when they’re sleeping, faces squished on their hands when they sleep on their sides. They smell so good. I kissed them, whispered I love you and then snuck out as quietly.
Now, I am in my jammies, I don’t have to wear dress shoes for at least 3 days! wahoo! sitting down to write to you and surrounded by two snoring cats. Heaven!
Have a great night! Tomorrow is Halloween and I am Boston for the first time, can’t wait! And I can’t wait to tell you all about it! Happy Halloween in advance!
Today is the second day on the new project in Illinois.
There was a team dinner, a farewell to two people leaving the project, but I found out that there are quite a few team dinners that happen more often than not and just about all 25 people from Deloitte will go to dinner, it was nice.
We went to a nice Mexican Restaurant, Mago Grill, http://www.magogrill.com/arlingtonheights/index.html in downtown Arlington Heights, it looks charming, I’m looking forward to getting to know the area.
The guacamole was terrific, it was fresh, made table-side, always a good thing, fresh guacamole, especially now that I actually like avocado and guacamole! The rest of the food ordered was very tasty according to everyone and they enjoyed their drinks.
It was nice to get to know fellow team members, barely talk about work, have a good meal, make friends, relax, laugh and detach from the day. Looking forward to the next one.
I really do know it.
I have family and friends who care about and love me, two furry babies who love when I come home, at least I think they do, they come to say hello eventually! I have a great job that affords me the ability to travel and be there for my family when I need to be and sometimes just when I want to [which sometimes is the same thing, hugs are a great healer] and just spend time with them.
That great job also allows me to travel to different locations so that I don’t always have to go to the same place every weekend, which allows me to travel to do a race if I want! I even get points from travel [hotel, car, flights] allowing me to stay for free or reduced rates.
For example…this weekend I am in Denver and I just completed the Blacklight 5k, more like 3.47, which I did in 45.50, a new record for me! I am a little stoked. Crazy thing…I started my day last Saturday doing a race at a horse track in Ireland and I ended my Saturday today doing a race at an auto track. Crazy!
I could wax prolific all day, but I just wanted to tell you how lucky I am and I know it!
Tonight, EJS tested, passed and got her yellow belt!
Last month when I was here, dad, GES, EJS, MGS and I all went to a festival that was happening in town with some vendors, activities for kids and local businesses trying to drum up business. That is where I signed up for the 5k I did a few weeks ago here in Needham.
One of the businesses was the Martial Arts Center in Needham, Mass and EJS was quite taken with the Instructor and the idea of taking karate lessons. One of the things they offered were free lessons and what could it hurt? EJS signed up and took a few lessons and was hooked, I can tell you from experience, that girl has some power behind her hits!
She has been going steadily for a month and tonight she was being texsted for her yellow belt. There were white, green, yellow and orange belts in the class and the test consisted of the instructor going through exercises, repetitions and then would walk around during certain sections to test each student individually. EJS is a machine!
After the class, the Instructor looked at the class and told them that they all passed and then gave out the belts and boy was EJS’ smile huge after she got her belt and then when she came out of the dojo to say hello and guess who got the first hug? Yup, yours truly! She was beaming ear to ear!
After the ceremony was over, they signed up for the next month and EJS got her full gi! Which she modeled for us when we got home after dinner! [I had asked GES if she thought EJS would sleep in her gi…she tried!]
So very proud of EJS! A yellow belt!
Ok, I am going to write about my cats, yup.
No, not the crazy cat lady, but I do love these two fuzzy nuts and I am looking at them laying here on the bed with me, so I snapped a pic or two to share and that’s really about it.
I know I’ve told you a little about them, but I’ll tell you again anyway. Jymy is eleven and got the name because my wasband used to call me Jimmie for some unknown reason, so when we got her, I asked the kids what to call her and without missing a beat, in unison “Jymy!” and Jymy it was. I spelled it that way to be a little different, but…everyone always says him when referring to her.
She is a larger cat, not fat by any means, just big and I have to tell you, after the scare I had with her about two years ago, so thin her ribs were showing, I love my fat cat! She can be grumpy on occasion, but who isn’t? She is affectionate and gives me kisses quite often, especially when she sits on my lap, much better than when she used to bite my chin all the time! It’s not an easy fix, like biting her back, all you get is a mouth full of fur, no thanks! When I am sleeping, she is normally in the crook of my body, against my back or laying right at my head on my pillow.
Jymy is not easily led, she has her own mind and you know it, but she is still a momma’s girl and I love it. I do remember when she was a kitten, she would play fetch, throw a piece of paper and she would catch it and bring it back, you should have seen her jump and catch the paper, hair band, whatever it was I would throw! Now, she’s gotten a little older, but I swear, she is still a kitten half of the time, just wanting to play and cuddle.
Now, Peanut is still a bit of a baby at six, she craves attention, is jealous of the attention that Jymy gets sometimes, having to be on my lap the minute Jymy gets there, but that’s what little sisters are all about! She is affectionate and sweet and listens, sometimes, but loves to be picked up and held and loved on. She talks a lot! I don’t think I’ve ever had a cat that talked that much!
Peanut is definitely a kitten and likes to play, chase her own tail and any bit of light or laser that you flash at her. She will even chase the shadows on the wall! Have you ever watched a cat run around in circles chasing their own tail? How about when they run across the room and then slide on the area rug? I had another cat who would do that and who was I to stop her fun?
She likes to sleep in the crook of my arm, close to my body, especailly with my arms wrapped around her and if Jymy is there, she will walk over her to get in that spot. She does love her big sister though, follows her everywhere, sometimes much to Jymy’s chagrin.
If you have cats…do they like to help you make the bed? Get under the sheets and burrow and then freak out when they think they are trapped? (Look where Peanut is)
I could go on, but do you really want to listen to me go on and on and on about my cats? I refuse to be the crazy cat lady!
I will close with this…my girls are incrdibly affectionate and know when I don’t feel well, they are right there loving on me making sure i am ok, after all, who can take better care of me than them?
Ha ha, no, I am not doing a daily post being back in the states, just couldn’t resist, been on the day count in Ireland.
Well, I’m back and technically it’s 3:42am in Ireland, so I should be asleep right now! Actually, after I read to EJS after bath, the lights went out and I slept for about an hour, it was glorious! Here I am writing to you and in a few I will crash, I knew I wanted to stay up until a “normal” hour for me here so I could get acclimated quickly, I think I’m doing well.
The days started normally enough, got up before the wake up call, got ready, finished packing, took my bags downstairs, had breakfast, left for the airport, pulled into rental car return and remembered that I had forgotten to fill up the tank last night, only third time I have ever done that, but never when it was going to cost me this much…oh well, the price of stupidity…
On the shuttle to the terminal, I saw a rainbow, was that a sign? I checked in and because I am Silver Elite with Delta, I got Fast Tracked, just got through security a little faster, getting me to customs a little faster, not through, just to…a security guard was calling for all JFK passengers, so we skipped ahead to wait in the long line for customs giving the little Star Wars fan in front of me some Star Wars trivia, like…do you know that the reason that the reason Han Solo can speak wookie is that he was raised by a wookie nanny? There you go…
Boarded the flight, uneventful except for when they had to reboot the entertainment system, that’s when I fell asleep for a bit. I watched three movies, Chef, Million Dollar Arm and The Other Woman, not bad, great when they are free! I even had a vegetarian meal, it was quite tasty too!
7.5 hours later, we were in NYC, my phone now works! less than two hours later, I was on the flight for Boston, sitting on the runway for over an hour then 45 minutes later, in Boston waiting to figure out what carousel the luggage was coming to. Connected with GES, home just in time for dinner and presents, bath, bed, nap, now, I have two cats sitting with me in bed, boy did I miss them and as soon as I log off, I am passing out!
I feel weird not posting what I’m positive about:
Positivity Challenge
1 – I am thankful to be home with family
2 – I am thankful my nieces were sooooo excited to see me
3 – I love having my cats sleeping with me, I really missed them!
I got the sweater…where’s the boy?
Today I got up earlier than ever and then errand my book, showered, packed and headed down to the pub across the street for breakfast. My waitress had just gotten back from three weeks in Spain, why don’t we do holidays like that?
I stopped by the chemist on my way out because I did not want to bring this cold back with me as my souvenir! The sudafed is working wonders! I got on the road and drove and drove and drove, I stopped in Kildare, but realized I am going to be there tomorrow, so I headed on to Dublin.
As the gps couldn’t find things and I stopped using it last week, I wanted to do what I could from memory and I was pretty darn good! I did stop by a hotel at the airport for help, but I got there! Then I chilled for a bit and got on the bus for City Center. I got off at Trinity College and did something I haven’t done since I got here, retail therapy!
First thing I did actually, was get some lunch at KC Peaches, a lovely place with delicious, healthy, home grown ingredients sandwich. Then I headed to the Sweater Shoppe! And I got it! You guessed it! My Irish knit sweater! It was really hard to decide what looked right and felt good where I wouldn’t itch thinking about putting it on! Merino wool is itchy!
Ok, so I have the Irish knit sweater…where’s the Irish boy? Maybe I have to wear it to find him! Then I went into a few stores and picked up a few things, I can’t tell..someone might be reading this!
I walked up and down the streets, it’s a serious bustling city, I love it! It started raining on the way and never really let up. Someone asked me to pick up a tshirt at Hard Rock, so I headed to Temple Bar, http://www.templebar.ie, where all the bars seem to be, well, not all, but chunked together. This is where it happens! The noise, the music, the sites, the sounds, lovely! This is where you go for a bit of craic!
After The Hard Rock, I walked around the area and found…Boxty! http://boxtyhouse.ie, a restaurant that had and knew what a boxty was! OMG! I was in heaven! I ordered boxty scraps which were boxties cut like French fries, yum! And some awful vegetables, when the waitress said they were awful, I should have listened. But…the homeless guy I am sure enjoyed them both!
After dinner, I had the bread and butter pudding, yum! Very light and not a huge portion, easy to enjoy and walk off.
I spent some more time walking around, then found the bus and headed back to the hotel, unloaded the rest of the stuff from the car, brought it to the room, had a quick shower and headed downstairs for my complimentary drink and some live music.
I ended up getting an amaretto and cream, it was ok and I’m working through the effects of the cream, but that’s my problem! I sat at the bar for a while waiting for someone to notice me and ask what I wanted to drink. I saw out of the corner of my eye, a guy down the bar tell the bartender I was waiting. When I caught his eye later, I thanked him. I thought he was waiting for someone, he had a bouquet of confetti roses.
I told him they were pretty and he came over to ask me if I wanted to smell them and then tell me that he bought them at ya the grocers today and would give them to the first nice person he talked to..guess who.
We proceeded to talk for about an hour, I found out all about him, his company and the girl that got away that he’s trying to win back good luck! It was fun talking to him, he’s from Montreal and in Dublin in business.
I also talked to the singer, when he was finished, a great guy who was a lot of fun to listen to. He would ask if the crowd liked someone and I answered, so he directed a bunch towards me! He was funny and very talented and gave me his card, so I could email him to get a few tracks he wrote, lucky me!
Now, here I am sitting in bed writing to you and needing to get some sleep because I’m running a 5k in the morning! Wahoo! A 5k in Ireland! Go me! Something I wanted to do and now I’m going to do it!
Goodnight!
Positivity Challenge – Day #29
1 – I am thankful I found my way to the hotel…sans GPS (with a little help from a very nice person)
2 – I am thankful to have found a restaurant that serves boxty!
Peaches Prattlings 