Birthday Bust

Scott has been telling me for YEARS that he wanted to learn Spanish. For years.

" I have always wished that I knew Spanish."
"Too bad you don't know more Spanish. If you did you could teach me..."
"Tracy, have you seen the Rosetta Stone program...I bet it would be great for Spanish."
"Chandler, I regret not learning Spanish. You should focus on Spanish."


So, with his Birthday coming up...I thought Rosetta Stone would be a great gift.

Then, I started second guessing myself. Maybe a self tutorial isn't the greatest of gifts...for one's Birthday. I decided to "feel Scott out." Ask a few questions, give a few hints, and see how he reacts.

Consequently, the Rosetta Stone Latin American Spanish Program is being returned. Now I know.

This left me I without a main gift...with S's Bday on Saturday. I decided that Sam's has plenty of fantastic electronics that would be more "Birthday worthy." Quickly, I ordered a surprise something that is fun and noneducational. I patted myself on the back. Went on to enjoying my Sunday.

Phone rings. Scott answers. It is the Fraud Dept. of the Credit Card that I used. Wanting Scott to verify the item ordered and confirm the charge.

I give up.

Happy Birthday Babe...Love ya!

Introducing Clifford Max

We got ourselves a new addition to the family.I don't think Valley is thanking us.
He is the sweetest boy- 13 week old bundle of puppiness.

Valley is being a fantastic big sister.
But I can tell she is tired & would love a break.
See? Here she is pretending like she is going to really tear into him.
She finally decides to just play dead and get some shut eye.

Christmas Eve

We have always opened our gifts to each other on Christmas Eve. Santa comes Christmas Day.This is a good thing- because Chandler was complaining of heart palpitations last night. He said that they would ease up if he could open just one gift.
I told him to take deep breaths- & go to bed. :-)
Nothing says Christmas like a Glock.

Just puts a smile on a young man's face.
Puzzling child...or puzzled child...Christmas Magic- Merry Christmas!!!-

Christmas in the USA

700 lights, 8 hours, and a trillion ornaments later...
I am loving being home.
The Gingerbread house has been constructed and mostly eaten.
Merry Christmas!

Moving...Again.

We will have moved 3 times in the past 14 Months. 2 of these will be International. I have come to some conclusions.

1. We generate more garbage than 4 other families combined.

2. Really- we do.

3. It takes estrogen to organize and initiate the moving events...

4. Really- it does.

5. If you have to spend the whole day organizing and packing and cleaning...don't go to the best French Restaurant and over indulge...on wine and food....the night before.

6. Really- don't.

7.....Ummm- One more thing- If you choose to store your mop bucket outside- Turn it upside down.-

8...REALLY- do this- because if you don't- a pretty gray mouse will crawl into it & then it will rain...& then the stupid thing will drown...and you will be grossed out and sad- at the same time. And all the food and wine will start bubbling in your belly.

An Irish Halloween

Chandler went trick or treating tonight. After he came home- I initiated our annual tradition of sorting through the loot. I don't do this to keep him from tainted food. He is old enough to know what not to eat. I do it because he doesn't eat chocolate...and I do. Bonus. I do it quickly, because Scott and I will fight for the best chocolate. Gotta be fast, strong, and clever.

Goodie bags of fruits, peanuts, crisps (potato chips), and sweets (candy.)

Thankfully, children being intentionally poisoned or harmed by tampered with foods is not a concern here. Seriously, not even thought of....
1, 5, & 20 cent pieces were common gifts. The Special K Bar was mine- from this morning----
This bag has Mega Mouse- very good light crispy salty yumminess. Chandler said that many people expect trick or treaters to perform for their treats. Apparently they did some dancing, joking telling, etc.

Peanuts and taffy-like candy

Lots of loot on a messy table...
My scary baby...Yes, that is lavender- it is still drying....remember? From the Great Harvest?
Those hands are freaky. Did I mention that the 2 euro store totally rocks?
There he is...please- ignore the messy messy home. There are a number of reasons that the home is in disarray. 1. We can't figure out when to put out the different colored bins for garbage and recycling....There are four freakin' bins and each has it's own "day."

2. We are in the process of packing for the move back.

3. I don't feel like straightening.

4. I am way too lazy to edit photos. I used to edit ALL photos for my readers. But really, I can't keep up the appearances anymore. Besides, you are going to see what we really look like in a matter of weeks....

St. Stephen's Green- Dublin

Today is a Bank Holiday in Ireland. That means a day off for me---yeah baby!!!

Mark's & Spencer in Dublin...yum yum!!

A man fighting a fake wind storm.
Scott & I looking at the pond @ St. Stephen's green.

Chandler- Pensive----
Vanna...I mean Scott is showing the map.
Main Entrance to St. Stephen's Park
Chan is embarrassed by Scott's little beret thing..
I think he looks handsome.
St. Stephen's Shopping Center
Has a glass roof-
The main entrance to St. Stephen's Shopping Center. I don't know the man- He probably didn't want to be in the photo- Don't blame him.

Walking down the alley towards- St. Stephen's
Scott looks like he is pain- he is not. He LOVES my ideas for day trips. He is having fun.
The man behind Chandler is not a statue- He is a live man.

See! He changed his pose!

There is a fantastically fun Sushi place in Dublin- City Center.
The sushi travels by you on a conveyer belt. You chose what you want- prices vary according to bowl color- They total your bill according to the color of your empty bowls.
The faucets have fizzy water and flat water- free running.

What a fantastic day!