Adam Playing In The Snow

For those of you who read my son's blog, you have seen the picture of Adam packing a frisbee disc with snow. He said it was all he had to use for packing snow for his boys so they could build a snow fort. It seemed a poor second to the snow block maker he had as a child.

I remember the snow block makers. They were red, rectangular plastic open blocks with handles. The kids would spend hours filling them with snow and packing it down real good. One by one, the blocks of snow would be stacked one on the other, and sure enough, block by block, a fort would be built. They were such simple snow toys, yet provided hours and hours of fun, cooperation and achievement.

The second picture is of all three kids looking out the window of one of their forts. Sarah is on the right, Kara is in the back and Adam is on the left.

Children of mine, I love you!

Happy Thanksgiving...Sometimes Life Takes A Turn

We were supposed to go to Sarah, Dave, Davey and Derek's home for Thanksgiving. Preparations were underway at their house and ours. I had the things I was supposed to bring ready and set to go. They had all been planning and getting things ready too. Davey, who is 3 1/2 has been excited for days. He even had mommy draw a picture of all the people he wanted to come. He had quite a list. He had mommy, daddy, himself, Derek, Great Grandpa (my dad), Great Grandma (my mom who is in heaven) Kpa (Tom), Gramma (me) Joe (his friend from Ireland) and Kallsen and Parker (two of his little cousins). I think he ran out of breath and mommy ran out of room before all the rest of the family could be put on the whiteboard drawing.

But, even though the sun is shining and things were seemingly in control, our day changed. All four of them are sick! Dave and Sarah must have a touch of the flu and both boys are feverish and getting colds.

So, we will all be thankful in our own homes today. I am so sorry you are sick Mommy, Daddy, Davey and Derek! I love you and we will share Thanksgiving on a different day! I hope you get better soon!

Joe tells me there is an old Irish saying, "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good." That means most bad things that happen have a good result for someone. I wonder who that somebody else might be? So, if anyone feels a little extra luck today, this might be an explanation. This doesn't mean anyone is taking someone's misfortune lightly. It is just one of those sayings that has been around for years in Ireland.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my family. I love you Adam, Sara Beth, Joseph, Kallsen, Parker, Kara, Sam, Josh, Christopher and Amelia!

The Art Of Love

"The more I think about it,
the more I realize there is nothing
more artistic than to love others."

Vincent Van Gogh

I love quotes that say in a simple way what it is I believe. When I read this quote a few days ago, I knew I would share it with all of you. The pictures that follow are such beautiful examples of love being shared from old to young and young to old and young to young. Love knows no age. Love simply is!

I Used To Be The Short One

An important thing happened at the Corn Maze in October. (I thought it was October 6th that we went, but it was October 1st.) We went to the Corn Maze for Parker's 1st birthday, but as it turned out, we also ended up celebrating my dad's 94th birthday. There was an old time band playing and as I was sitting there on the hay bale with my dad, I remembered how he and I used to dance to Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights. So, I asked him if he would like to dance. And, he said "Yes!"

I remember he used to be the tall one.

I Am His Child

My dad stopped by unexpectedly today. He had been up to visit my sister, Linda and her husband Dave, for their birthdays and stopped to see us on his way home. It was meant to be a half hour or hour visit he said. Two and a half hours later he said he should probably be going.

What did we do to fill the time? Well, he told us all about the comics he likes to read in the paper and the new spaghetti sauce he got the recipe for. He just loves it! We looked at some of our pictures from Ireland, and I brought my laptop and webcam upstairs so we could get my friend, Joe from Ireland, on the webcam and have my dad meet Joe. This was a really new experience for my dad. Just the thought of talking to someone as far away as Ireland on the computer and actually see each other was mind boggling for my dad. Remember, he is 94 years old! My dad...not Joe!

Just kidding, Joe!! Funny girl!

It was a nice visit and gave me just one more reason to celebrate that I am his child.

As Promised..Corn Maze Pictures

This was such a wonderful day! Sarah and Dave's family, Adam and Sara Beth's family, Tom and I and my dad went to the Corn Maze on October 6th I think. Kara and Sam's family weren't able to make it, but they were there with us in spirit. The four little boys, Davey, Derek, Kallsen and Parker had a wonderful time. I think, well, I know the oldest boy there at almost 94, had a wonderful time too! More about the corn maze in the next post. Gosh, this is fun! Now that I am back to blogging, I hope you can all keep up with me!! Hugs for all of you! Thanks again for encouraging me to blog again!

Everyone Is Somebody's Child

I am back home now (physically and emotionally) from my long, long, long vacation to Ireland! I will be posting again on a regular basis now. I have had maybe five people ask me if I was going to blog again, and after seeing this post, I hope you will all still be glad you encouraged me to get back on the blogging road! So, thank you Sarah, Kara, Adam, Joe and Esther. This post just struck me so funny in a sweet sort of way!

These pictures are of animals in the petting zoo at the Corn Maze we went to in October. More pictures from that wonderful day will come in the next post. I have some time to make up for, don't I?

Is It Mud...Or...Is It Chocolate?

I LOVE YOU DEREK!! YOU MAKE ME LAUGH!! XOXO...IS THAT CHOCOLATE I TASTE?

No Words Can Even Describe It

I don't have words...I don't have pictures...I only have feelings...soon I will write a post about the last few days...have you ever felt so inside an experience that you can't get outside it enough to even talk about it....

Picture if you will an old Irish pub that hasn't changed in over seventy years. Picture the place packed to the walls with people...a small dance floor...a wee bit of unexpected dancing with your friend...talking..laughter...

Picture knowing you are leaving for home in the morning....you look at the clock and it is 1:00 a.m. and you don't care...time has lost all meaning...you want to be in the moment and yet you know if you are in the moment you will feel the good byes that will come all too quickly....

The Penny Drops

I need to make a correction! The information I gave you yesterday about the anniversary mass being for Joe's son was not accurate. We were driving along to the church and I was double checking with Joe to make sure I had remembered correctly. He rubbed his forehead and said.."I gave you the wrong information, Judy. The anniversary mass is for Ann's first husband, not our son. The penny dropped!" I said, "The penny dropped?" Joe said, "Yep, the penny dropped. It is when you realise something, the penny drops!"

I spelled realise with the "s" because that is also how it is done here. I have noticed that ever since I have been talking with Joe. He uses the "s" often where we use the "z".

Both pictures today are from Lookout, the beautiful spot just fifteen minutes outside Nenagh.

Today, we are going to a place called Cobh, pronounced Cove. It is the place the emigrants emigrated from. Since I have been to Ellis Island and have seen the destination spot, we thought it might be a nice experience to see the other side. A long time ago Joe did a post on the american wake. The american wake is a time when the families of those who were emigrating to America gathered. It was a time given to the young people who were leaving their country to say good bye and mourn the family members, parents, siblings and so forth that they might never see again.

I can't even imagine.....

I love you and miss you! xoxo

More Of Ireland's Beauty

Today is Sunday and we will be going to church with Joe and several members of his family. We will be attending a special anniversary mass for one of Joe's sons who died at age 34. It is a time to remember his life. It is a lovely custom here. I like it and feel honored and privileged that I get to share this day. Following the mass we will be having a meal with any of the family that will be able to attend at the Hibernia, a local restaurant.

We will visit the cemetary then, come back home for a bit and then off we go to Joe's sister, Biddy's house, to share a meal, some talk and as we have found, lots of laughter with his sister's and brother-in-law.

Joe's family has welcomed us into their homes and hearts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Heaven Or As Close As You Can Get To It

This picture was taken yesterday, September 1, 2006. Little did I know I would get this close to heaven. Joe's friend, Patt, talked about this being about his favorite place on earth. He said there was only one other place that even comes close, and that is in New Zealand.

The part that you you see here is about one third of a grand panoramic view. When we drove up to it I couldn't even get out of the car for several minutes. My eyes were flooded with the beauty and majesty.

I thought I had seen beauty on our other travels, but this one literally...and I mean literally....took my breath away.

Judy Cooooooking

We had good fun in the pub. The three menfolk decided Judy should do the cooooooking. So, here I am lifting the lid of a pot that would have been used for hundreds of years. I accomodated them so long as they agreed to do the dishes.

For Joe's sake, I must explain that I am just having a little fun with him. I say cooking...he says coooooooooking.

Please do not read Joe's blog.

Out And About In Nenagh

Here you see Judy, Patt (Joe's friend and now ours), and Joe at the pub where we ate lunch. Once again the meals made my eyes get big as saucers as I tried to imagine eating my whole plate of food. Tom and I both had real Irish stew. It came on a plate rather than in a bowl. And, I am not talking a small plate. Nope! The stew was delicious and I was sorry to leave much of it on my plate.

After lunch, we went on to visit a place that Patt called as close to heaven that he knew. I will write about that in my next post. I can only say right now that I couldn't even get out of the car because it was so beautiful!! I just had to sit and breathe and take it in in small bits. I can only hope the pictures will do it the justice it deserves.

The Castle you see is Nenagh Castle and it is from the 1200's...the 13th century. The church is St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nenagh. It is exquisite in its beauty. The only other church that has taken my breath away is St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

More tomorrow!!

I love you and miss you! xoxo Mom

The Three J's

We had a great day today! Joe's friend, Patt, came over and the four of us toured Nenagh. We discovered we didn't have to travel for three hours to find history and beauty.

This is a picture of the pub where we had lunch. If you look at the two pictures on the wall you will see two of the J's...Jesus and Jackie. When you add me to the whole lot you have the three J's!

Jesus..........Jackie............and Judy!!

(The Irish say "The whole lot" when we say all of us)

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Oh Happy Day! It Worked!

I got three pictures on this afternoon. It is 1:41 p.m. here in Nenagh and as luck would have it I chose three pictures that may not make the travel guide, but they are representative of our day yesterday. We enjoyed our driving trip to Dingle Peninsula. The weather was varied. We had some rain, some sun, some cool and some warmth. We did not go out to see the dolphin, but in a sense he did come to us. When I get a chance I will share a picture of the dolphin on land. You may have to use your imagination, but that might almost be more fun! Guess who had a little bit of fun with the dolphin. You will see when I am able to get the picture on.

I am having a wonderful time no matter what we do. Our days go by so fast. We wake up, do stuff or don't do stuff, and before you know it it is time for bed. I know that sounds kind of funny, but that is how it is.

For the picture of Dad, Joe and me, I put Dad's camera on Joe's car as we stood by the edge of the road. I had to get a picture of Dad in his photographic stance. (And you kids think I stand funny when I take pictures) I love the sheep picture. We were driving in the mountains and the sheep were so close to the road. It was so cute. This sheep just kept looking right at me, so of course he and I are on a first name basis now! Yes, I am laughing and I hope you are too.

I love you and I miss you!

On Our Way To Dingle Peninsula Today

We are going to Dingle Peninsula today. It will be about a three hour drive one way. There is supposed to be some beautiful scenery along the coastline once we get there. We will travel on what they call the motorway....much like our freeways. One of the interesting attractions is a dolphin that traveled in from the ocean several years ago and took up residence. You can rent a boat and take a little excursion out to see it. I have thought seriously of swimming with the dolphin but then I think of something Sara Beth said when she interviewed for a teaching position in Iowa....."Do you really want to see me in a swimming suit?"

After we all get ready for the day, we are going to the bank to do our first money exchange. American dollars will be exchanged for Euro. I asked Joe this morning if it was Euro or Euros because I have heard people use both. He said it is Euro. They also say cent and not cents. One cent, two cent, three cent, four. Yep, I am about to break out in rhyme!

It continues to be difficult to post pictures on the blog from here. I have some beautiful pictures and I will treat you all to a wonderful picture show as soon as I am able.

I love you family and miss you!

Just A Little Catch Up

Today we are going to the Aran Islands. We will be traveling by car for 2 1/2 hours to reach the ferry that will be taking us to the Island. I will get all the names later, because the truth is we must all get showered and dressed and in the car and on the way.

Every day so far has been perfect. Today is our fifth day here. On the second day, know what Joe said? Makes me laugh! He said, "Well, we made it through the first day." I know what he meant, and I also know the fun I can have with it. We have settled into sort of a routine. We get up, hang out, think about what we want to do and then do it. So far we have caught up on some sleep, then lost sleep, done some grocery shopping, eaten two meals out in two different pubs, had an irish breakfast and a tour of Dublin by Joe's friend, Sean. We have visited Joe's sisters' homes, eaten their wonderful food and experienced their warm welcoming hospitality, hugged and kissed, traveled Ireland's narrow and beautiful roads that are lined on both sides with stone walls covered in ivy. I didn't expect the beauty of the countryside. I have seen pictures and postcards, but once we left the town of Nenagh and I saw the countryside for myself I had two thoughts....There is a God! And, the other thought was how great cows look here! I know, I know....hard to live with such a romanticist!

Yesterday was one of our hang out days. Joe's friend, Pat, stopped by. We sat in Joe's sitting room, shared some food and tea and talked of Irish history and other things. At one point we got to talking about singing. I asked Pat if he would sing for us. Guess what he said? He said he he would. He sang three or four songs and promised to come back another day and sing again for us.

I said to Pat before he left, "Sometimes you have to go out to have a great experience, but today the great experience came to us!" It was so true. Little did we know that the day we needed to and chose to stay home that Pat would show up at the door and give us one of the nicest experiences we could have had. Sometimes we need to make things happen and sometimes we need to let things happen.

I have been trying to load a picture as I write, but it has not come up yet. And, I must go shower so we can get to the ferry straighaway!

A Picture Is Worth.....

Well, this is finally showing up!! And, I have no idea how it finally did! I have been trying to post this picture all morning with no luck.

This picture is of me doing my blog in the wee hours of the morning...there is a reason you can only see my hands!!

I am glad to finally see the picture show up!

The post below is what was written when this picture was taken.