tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165931502012-01-27T09:28:42.689ZSusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.comBlogger435125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-5442692689131728632010-11-26T08:23:00.000Z2010-11-26T08:23:42.260Z2010-11-26T08:23:42.260Z

We had a great first day on the ground in Dublin.  Started by taking the Green Bus Tour around the high points of the city, to get oriented.  Then we decided to find the National Leprechaun Museum, which was a little gem.  Had an early tea in a nice Irish pub [no turkey], and then homeward, so I could rest my feverish/chilled self.  Fever's gone today, so onward we go...

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-76874959067814680192010-11-25T07:59:00.000Z2010-11-25T07:59:49.098Z2010-11-25T07:59:49.098Z

A happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! Arrived in Dublin late last night. All we've seen is the inside of a taxi, flashes of the River Liffey, and the hotel [nice]. Problem with opening Lily's bed, but the staff ended up manhandling the old one out and bringing in a new one. We were SO tired by then. Everyone else is still asleep.  I've been reading the tourist flyers, etc.  Ready for

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-24965842232888685022010-11-23T20:29:00.000Z2010-11-23T20:29:48.793Z2010-11-23T20:29:48.793Z

Yes, indeed...happiness reigns supreme.   As the tunester on Ren and Stimpy sang, I don't think you're happy enough!  I'll teach you to be happy.... No, I think I AM happy enough, actually.  Thanksgiving's come early 'cause my sweetie, he is HOME.

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-60313707914360493712010-11-23T12:59:00.002Z2010-11-23T12:59:33.556Z2010-11-23T12:59:33.556Z

I'm thankful for a clean, warm home. I'm thankful for the crockpot, which is toiling away to make cranberry/chili pork roast.   I'm thankful for my used Dyson, which is truly a revelation in vacuums. I'm thankful for the dump, and the way they work to recycle so much of what we bring.  I'm thankful for Lily's school, and that she gets to see A Midsummer Night's Dream done by Shakespeare for Kids

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-35233923701530273842010-11-21T18:23:00.000Z2010-11-21T18:23:06.549Z2010-11-21T18:23:06.549Z

It's been a really nice quiet Sunday, too. Good Sunday school class this AM [not always the case with two challenging children in the mix],  nice potluck after church, a crackling fire in the fireplace this afternoon, happy kids who've done their homework, and the chance to sit and relax.  Yes, a good Sunday indeed. In honor of my darling man coming home soon, but completely unrelated to the

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-82407054669887921702010-11-21T00:02:00.001Z2010-11-21T00:13:28.138Z2010-11-21T00:13:28.138Z

Why, yes, I AM up rather late tonight...I've been idly watching Miss Marple on the telly while assembling some things for tomorrow's Sunday school class. Today, Lily and I did a craft. Yes, we did.  We made a tied fabric wreath [fabric strips on a shaped coat-hanger circle.  It came out quite nicely, methinks.  And so I begin the holiday season...

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-63797783343437736872010-11-20T08:01:00.000Z2010-11-20T08:01:04.863Z2010-11-20T08:01:04.863Z

Whoops! Missed another posting day. Friday went well - I tried not to think about the fact that David had come ThisClose to flying home Friday before being told he'll have to return with the rest of the crew [soonish but not Friday].  The kiddoes had fun with their Children in Need Days and spots...I handed out spot sticker sheets to a couple of spotless little boys at school, who had a great

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-48823581199429540782010-11-18T21:49:00.000Z2010-11-18T21:49:13.859Z2010-11-18T21:49:13.859Z

Tonight I made two spotty satin bandannas, for my charming children to wear to school tomorrow. Tomorrow is Children in Need Day and they are having non-uniform ["wear spots"] days to raise money.  The spots are in honor of Pudsey Bear, the spokesbear of the charity.  Now Lily has lots of spotty gear, but spotty clothing for gents is sadly lacking.  We popped into town after school today to

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-51012773975848599132010-11-16T19:47:00.001Z2010-11-16T19:47:19.815Z2010-11-16T19:47:19.815Z

Feeling better today, although I still  sound horrid and have a headful of phlegm. Bleah. We woke up to a gorgeous heavy frost, with mist everywhere.  The landscape was otherwordly as I made the school run this morning.  Soon enough the sun burned off the mists, but it was really lovely while it lasted. Rested today.  I've got preschool cover duty tomorrow, so an early night tonight.

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-38639666678718865812010-11-15T19:44:00.002Z2010-11-15T19:44:27.550Z2010-11-15T19:44:27.550Z

Still sick.  Much better, except for the croaky voice.  Returned groom's rental outfit.  Called fridge truck guys to come and get it.  Helped in Lily's classroom in afternoon. Lay comatose on sofa for an hour before tea. Tomorrow shall be a "duvet day" as soon as school run is done.

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-31875065429403665002010-11-14T18:33:00.000Z2010-11-14T18:33:35.083Z2010-11-14T18:33:35.083Z

I've been out of blogtouch for these last few days because of the Great Wedding Weekend.  Friday - decorating house and chapel, ferry caterers over to chapel, picking up bride's family from train station, rehearsal  dinner.  Saturday, last minute errand for caterer, followed by frazzledness getting kids and me ready in less than enough time, ferrying people to chapel.   Beautiful wedding

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-26167639266391211632010-11-11T14:48:00.002Z2010-11-11T14:48:53.928Z2010-11-11T14:48:53.928Z

Yes, I definitely have a cold. It's not just the dust that was making me cough and making my nose run.  Feeling cruddy. Did you know bleach fumes still suck, even if you can't smell them?

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-69400057041223114602010-11-10T19:10:00.000Z2010-11-10T19:10:09.659Z2010-11-10T19:10:09.659Z

I am allergic to dust.  Isn't everyone?  Anyway, kicking up years' worth of dust by clearing out the laundry house and sorting the pantry has left me feeling and sounding like someone with a rotten cold.  Kids were coughing quite a bit, too.  I think after the pantry is done, the big dust storms will be a thing of the past. That's enough about cleaning :).  Did I mention there's a walk-in

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-2655723031059375922010-11-09T22:32:00.000Z2010-11-09T22:32:26.061Z2010-11-09T22:32:26.061Z

It seems like I've been running all day, right up to the moment 30 minutes ago when I plopped into this chair.  So many errands on base, a run to drop off donations, and a quick trip to the hardware store for door knobs [need to return as I need one more of the right sort]. Best of all was the hour I spent purging Lily's room. I cleared out a bin bag of junk and a HUGE Rubbermaid tote of toys

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-63128632430718951582010-11-08T21:27:00.000Z2010-11-08T21:27:31.422Z2010-11-08T21:27:31.422Z

Hah! Bet you thought I was going to blog about cleaning, but noooo.  There was more decluttering today, but I wanted to share our newest enjoyment with you. It's James May's Man Lab! Good fun - he's trying to bring back all kinds of lost manly arts -  duelling, building things, serenading a lady, and even navigation by traumatized dog and magical powder.  The kids love it. The KnitFarm/

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-83112062181581138942010-11-07T21:46:00.000Z2010-11-07T21:46:50.677Z2010-11-07T21:46:50.677Z

Today - the master bedroom.  Plus serious Dyson vacuuming/edging/de-spidering in every room but the kids' [haven't tackled those rooms yet]. Six large trashbags for the dump, four large cartons for the charity shop, and SO. MUCH. SPACE.   I can't get over how much junk I had stashed everywhere. After my cleaning buddy and her family left, I kept on truckin' and cleaned fireplace/grate, purged

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-28282685214021680182010-11-06T19:57:00.000Z2010-11-06T19:57:20.974Z2010-11-06T19:57:20.974Z

I'm giddy with decluttering joy... With Afton's help to be ruthless, we took a carload of stuff to the charity shop this morning, and her fiance and his brother came round this afternoon to cart away a TRUCKload of stuff to the dump. Having a huge house with lots of storage and a spare bedroom is definitely both blessing and curse. Blessings are obvious, but the curse is that I store things

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-90142591092572003832010-11-05T23:38:00.000Z2010-11-05T23:38:54.737Z2010-11-05T23:38:54.737Z

Day Two of the Great Pre-Wedding-Reception Purge is complete, and we have 4 rooms done.  Two guest rooms, kitchen and all the miscellany to go.   House is looking great but I am feeling low on energy. In these rooms, one of the biggest time sucks has been sorting and purging and reshelving the bookshelves.  We have two walls of books downstairs.  Afton told me she's never seen so many books in a

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-6873221660636844432010-11-04T20:59:00.000Z2010-11-04T20:59:24.821Z2010-11-04T20:59:24.821Z

Today's NaBloPoMo post is a bit boring but I suppose that's because life is a bit boring right now.  What I don't particularly like to do is clean.  This is a smallish problem because our friends are getting married in 9 days and  the reception is at our place.  Ahem.  And her family will be staying here, so I need the bedrooms to be company-ready as well. Fortunately, the bride is a cleaning

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-35675516450727448202010-11-03T21:09:00.000Z2010-11-03T21:09:54.148Z2010-11-03T21:09:54.148Z

I've just finished watching The Italian Job [the original, with Michael Caine, back in his "Phwoar" days].  VERY enjoyable movie with agile cars, funny stars and an awesome theme tune. Another fine Michael Caine film is The Ipcress File.  Check it out...

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-78234525165844638202010-11-02T10:04:00.000Z2010-11-02T10:04:35.003Z2010-11-02T10:04:35.003Z

Halloween was both low key and everpresent this past week. Everpresent because there were three parties in the space of a week.  Low key because we didn't carve pumpkins or anything, or decorate the trunk for trunk-or-treat [beyond draping a pirate flag and some ghost tinsel].  We didn't even go trick or treating on the night itself.   The first party was the squadron kids' Halloween bash one

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-47606284160170878552010-11-01T19:00:00.000Z2010-11-01T19:00:41.422Z2010-11-01T19:00:41.422Z

I'll take a stab at daily posts this month, without joining the official crew.  Brief recap of the past 2 months....School started for kiddles and they're enjoying it.  We went to Brugge/Bruges and adored it. I'd love to go back.  What a jewel of a city. David the son ruptured his appendix, had emergency surgery and spent the best part of a week in hospital. He's recovered amazingly well!

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-59257947346977459862010-09-05T12:58:00.000+01:002010-09-05T12:58:11.760+01:002010-09-05T12:58:11.760+01:00

For you KnitFans out there, I finished the stripey socks yesterday except for grafting the last toe, and I've completely finished sock 1 of the Kalajokis!  Cast on sock 2 and I am about to start the heel on that one now. Alison was right about recognizing the wool - it's her hand-dyed Yarnscape Footsie in Blue Pine.  Clever girl :)  Check out that link - the Footsie is the sock weight wool, and

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-39509721726078795432010-09-04T11:29:00.000+01:002010-09-04T11:29:16.837+01:002010-09-04T11:29:16.837+01:00

Whoa, it's been a long time, hasn't it?  Last posting in March.  Lily ended up being really ill for 2 weeks.  David deployed again and is home now.  Life went on in the usual pathways, with some lovely highlights here and there. Did some family history work in the summer, and discovered that we have two half-sisters.  I've been in touch with one, Kate, and that is just wonderful! She is funny,

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16593150.post-47317670137374819962010-03-12T17:57:00.000Z2010-03-12T17:57:47.584Z2010-03-12T17:57:47.584Z

Knitting - slow. Lily - sick for waaaay too long, and feeling 90% back to normal now.  Thank heaven. Have you heard of RickRolling? That's my Funny for today - here's the Ultimate RickRoll.  Check it out...

SusieHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15521412145877313608noreply@blogger.com2