Friday Five!

Thank you pb and albatross.

1. Mon. through Thurs. in Dublin at (overly) posh Fitzwilliam Hotel.  Find a good veggie restaurant:  Cornucopia.

2. Walk around and end up at Trinity College and then on to another good restaurant: The Farm.

3.  Chester Beatty Library and the Castle -- and The Queen of Tarts (yum)

4.  Quick visit to the National Museum -- hordes and hordes of gold and a few bog men.  Then time to fly back to Manchester and train to Leeds ...

5.  Took a tour of the Brotherton Library at Univ. of Leeds (Heritage Open Day) -- where it all began.

(Glad you're having some positive days, Andee -- but bummer about being disturbed in the middle of the night  )

Aww, Andee, I wish I could follow you around giving you hugs whenever you need them. Not in a creepy way, but in a 'my heart really hurts for you and I just want you to be happy again and want to do all I can to get you there' way.

You will get there in time, but the ickiness between now and then is no fun.

1. Last Friday Five before holiday, and only two more work days (Sat and Mon) before we fly!

2. I spent today shopping for all the requested things, gifts for various people, and other last minute items for the trip. I seriously doubt either of us are going to have room for clothes, and I am probably going to have to leave my awesome rock goddess shoes here, because they definitely aren't going to fit.

3. Fall arrived Wednesday night, ushered in with huge fanfare. We had a tornado watch, HUGE thunder and lightning and a lot of rain. I wasn't so keen on the tornado watch, but I do love a big, booming thunderstorm. The cooler air is amazing. I love this time of year!

4. I bought my first roll of Christmas wrap for the season today. I have more than enough left over from last year, but I am a bit of a Christmas wrap junkie and buy several rolls a year.

5. Mom seems as excited about her getaway to come hang out here with Joey as we are about our trip. She is looking forward to some peace and quiet. Since she only knows one person in town (Chris), she should get a bunch of quiet. I'm glad she will get the time to heal a little. Hard as it was to lose a sibling, I just can't imagine what it was like for her and dad, losing a child.

Going to join in on this Friday Five thing!

1. Today is the two week mark since my spousal visa application arrived in Sheffield. Feeling more impatient than ever!

2. Enjoying a nice chilled jug of farmhouse cider while I write this! It's nice to see cider growing in popularity in US. I had the (un?)fortunate luck of developing a taste for English scrumpy cider, then having to return to the States!

3. Had the day off from work, and spent part of it combing through my belongings (for the umpteenth time) and making more piles of "give away" and "bring to UK". The "bring" pile gets smaller each time! It's sort of refreshing to clear out the clutter, I find.

4. Drove 30 minutes out of my way to eat at Chipotle for lunch. Who knows when I'll get my next chance??

5. Cruised with the windows down on the way home. It was a perfect September day in New England... crisp air, but not too cool yet. Not a cloud in the sky. Just a hint of color on a handful of trees. Had a profoundly sad moment thinking about how I won't be here to enjoy it next year... but then again, maybe the silver lining in this long visa process is that I haven't moved yet and I'm still here to enjoy it this year.

Aww, Andee, I wish I could follow you around giving you hugs whenever you need them. Not in a creepy way, but in a 'my heart really hurts for you and I just want you to be happy again and want to do all I can to get you there' way.

You will get there in time, but the ickiness between now and then is no fun.

Thank you TamaMoo you are really a lovely person.  You can visit me in Ireland anytime.  And the same goes for pb, and BD. 

I have done Friday Fives on Saturdays and Sundays, but never on a Thursday.  And that is what I am doing now.

1.  I had my first tear-free day yesterday since the beginning of August.  I also slept through the night last night for only the third time since beg. of August.  I also ate like a normal person yesterday and today.  Today was not tear-free but I am making progress.  (No kind of smiley seems appropriate here)

2.  I am looking forward to seeing Mrs.Robinson and her hubby when they return from holiday next week. 

3.  I need to sort out a smart phone with Mrs.Robinson's help. 

4.  My area manager and her boss both said I could get paid at the manager's rate for my last two weeks of work, even though I go back to being an assistant manager.  I could have remained on at full-time as well if I chose to.  That made me feel really appreciated!  I could use the bit of extra cash as well that the higher rate will generate. 

5.  I really am trying to take it one day at a time and be kind to myself.  I won't put any sad smilies here, instead I will put  because a flower seems to symbolize hope.

1] First trimester fatigue is super rough when you have spent the past year grieving, dealing with child who has lots of emotional and physical issues, and currently have house guests.

2] As a result, Last night I had a TOTAL TODDLER TANTRUM MELTDOWN over the quality of the dinner preparations [which I have lately been too exhausted to manage myself], until I realized that I had 5 vials of blood drawn for tests at 3:30 and hadn't even had a snack [meltdown started at around 7:30]. Hubby went out to get me a burger AND milkshake and I calmed down. But it was EPIC. I've never been so irrational in my life.

3] I've found a midwife and my Doc [a Naturopath] and I are working on a plan to make this the best pregnancy ever and hopefully prevent some of the physical and emotional depletion that happened with my second kid.   At least in the taking care of myself area, I finally feel like I have it together a little bit.

4] New [to us] car purchase, plus the cost of having a baby etc. have pushed back our move date to Our back-up OB--who will be doing the ultrasounds and will take us on if something develops later  to cause us risk out of homebirth--joked that we should drop everything and leave for England now, lol.  I asked him if he had $11K I could borrow... Hopefully we will be able to pull it off before baby is two :/

5] In spite of extreme fatigue and all of the fallout that comes with it, I am feeling pretty positive about things going forward.  Fall is here and things are finally cooling off down here in the ATL.  Time to start on Halloween Costumes!

I haven't looked at this thread in a long time.  Andee I am so so sorry.  When my marriage ended, I sought refuge in dancing (my thing).  I spent lots of time in the studio choreographing and taking classes I enjoyed.  I always wanted to learn cake decorating, so I did.  Doing things for me helped me get my sparkle back.  And LOTS of time with friends. 

Jaidedwings, there are a couple of Chipotle's in London.  Not sure where you are moving too but it is in the UK.

Haven't done this in a long time, so here goes:

1.  Looking forward to going to my husband's cousin's house tomorrow for a party for his 18 year old cousin.  She's going to Australia for a 3 month training program and then to a third world country (unknown where) to work with orphans during her gap year.  Very proud of her!

2.  Alice will be attending the party in a super baby costume, complete with cape.  Hee hee

3.  Alice will be six months on Wednesday.  Where does time go?!   She weighs 12 whole pounds now.  Tiny girl. 

4.  We are trying to figure out where to spend Christmas this year.  Will probably be my only year off at Christmas (will still be on maternity leave).  I want to spend Christmas with my family.  My husband wants to spend it with his (what we have done every single year since we started dating).  I'm annoyed.   

5.  I've had appointments set up for 3 painters to quote painting our landing.  Been stood up twice.  Third time lucky!  The guy came AND on time!  I just hope the quote is reasonable.  Otherwise I'm going to have to borrow a ladder.   

Thank you KFdancer, I am all about getting my sparkle back!  Here's to new beginnings. 

Thank you KFdancer, I am all about getting my sparkle back!  Here's to new beginnings. 

Listen to lots of Adele and belt along with her!

1. Still jet-lagged but DS had day off so we had breakfast together and then did exciting stuff like going to BJ's!

2. Took a load to the dump and then called in to see my aunt.  Heard all about No. 1 grandson's wedding  DS had another day off but we ended up visiting his store.  DH got some fuzzy slippers and I got a stretchy belt (all on the boy's discount  )

3. Sold my car (2007 Ford 500) back to the dealer for less than we hoped -- no time to do Craig's List. 

4. First day of mourning loss of car.  Walked to the store.

5. Starting to get packed up for return trip on Monday.

Listen to lots of Adele and belt along with her!

Adele makes me cry!!  But I like the thought...

BD, maybe, just maybe I'll get to see you before I go to Ireland...

BD, maybe, just maybe I'll get to see you before I go to Ireland...

I hope so!  Back next week.

I hope so!  Back next week.

BD, Mrs.Robinson, mapleleafgirl, and I have a plan to meet for coffee on Mon the 14th, please join us if you can.  Details to follow--check your fb messages.

1.  Things at work are feeling like they are starting to wind down now.  Only 5 more days of work to go. 

2.  Had to say a final goodbye to one person so far, my and Mrs.Robinson's friend who is magicalcattie on here. 

3.  Ordered my first smartphone (with Mrs.R's and Mr.R's help) so I can keep in touch and document my new adventures better. 

4.  Still in awe of the amount of support and love I continue to receive from friends. 


5.  Thinking about doing a group walk in the dales on Sunday if the weather is nice.