Please Feed the Turtles...

The turtles to the right are hungry! -

Newbridge Silverware

Newbridge Silverware is the best jewelry place....EVER. Based in Newbridge, Co. Kildare Ireland- their designs are so up my alley. Big, bold vibrantly colorful, clear stones on silver pendants, rings, bracelets. Prices are crazy reasonable. Check out their website. If you see anything you like, send me an email- I'll check to see if it is on clearance in the store. I am going now....Oh yeah, they carry silverware too- for all of you hostess types. You know who you are.

Language Testing in Ireland

It is time for many of my clients to receive language assessments...and I can't help but chuckle. Here are a few of this week's responses.

Me: " This is Mary, she is a girl. This is John, he is a...."

Child Client: "Fellow!"

Me: "Fathers face is rough but the baby's face is...."

Child Client: "Father needs to shave."

Me: "Show me 'cutting the cake'"

Child Client: " I don't want cake...I like biscuits."

Me: Pointing to a picture of a cat under a chair. " The cat is not in the chair. Where is the cat? It is ...."

Child Client: Points to the cat, "Right there-Look!"

Me: "Your right, it is right there. It is not IN the chair, it is..."

Child Client: "Scared!"

Good Times

Co. Galway

Co. Galway- Chandler walked with me to the beach. Yes, it is August...and it was very cold!

This was the Ocean- I thought we could swim in it...but it was rocky and cold- and stunk a bit like red tide.

We panicked when we realized that we had to ride the Ferry to get to Galway. We thought that we didn't have the cash. Scott has this habit of only pulling out 20 euro when he goes to the ATM. 20 euro is good for a few bottles of water and gum. We have had discussions about this. Hopefully, this almost incident has impacted him.

I pull out big money when I go to the ATM...but then Scott pilfers my moola from me. To be fair, Chan uses my cash too.

See the bikers in front of us? It was raining and cold- Ireland is mountainous- They are carrying gear- I am pretty impressed.

I wanted to save this horse- It was rainy and cold, and she had no shelter, or room- I tried to break her loose...but she wanted no part of my plan. I had picked berries on the walk and tried to entice her to the low wall...she ignored me. Too bad. I would have taken this horse into the house.

When I was 10, I remember my poor goat (Nanny) had gotten her head stuck in the fence, during a snowstorm. I got home from school and she was covered with snow. She wasn't moving. Tearfully, I prayed and freed her from the fence. She was still lethergic and weak. So, in effort to warm my Nanny, I took her into my house.

I put her in the kitchen and covered her with a blanket. Then, I felt badly because Nanny's sister, Sassy, was still outside and cold. So, I brought Sassy into the house too. They both were very excited about being inside...Nanny recovered quickly. Soon, they were pooping and peeing everywhere. I didn't care- I was crying tears joy and saying thank you prayers....until my Mom came home from work. It took some explaining, but she finally understood.

Anyhow, I tried to do the same with this horse- but it just wouldn't trust me. I sent Scott to try...I didn't tell him about my secret plan...but the horse didn't take to him either. Maybe next time...

Co. Kerry

A friend of mine (M.F.) invited us to stay in her home in Co. Kerry- (Many thank yous!!!)

While we were there, M.F. and hubby gave us a tour of Dingle Peninsula-

Below, you will see that M.F. is standing next to a broad leafed plant. This plant is called "Gonera." I LOVE the name. Say it out loud...slowly. heehee.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=dingle+ireland&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=22.987313,35.244141&ie=UTF8&ll=52.666389,-9.036255&spn=8.773558,23.269043&z=6

Rose Garden in Tralee-
I LOVED the roses in my signature color!!!
A sign on the way to Kerry.
We met this guy in Co. Kerry- We loved him.
On the way to Co. Kerry...
This is for the friend who keeps asking me, between giggles, if we have a thatched roof.

...and the Harvesting Continues

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainhan Gaol- is a Prison Museum in Dublin. It was built in 1796- then additions were made. The final addition was, of course, the nicest. This is the yard where many were executed- Didn't like standing here. The Irish Flag has a pretty interesting history. The old Ireland represented by the green, the new by the orange, and white is the brotherhood or unification of the two.

This is the nice portion of the prison. Lots of light. It looks a little like Citrus Park Mall in Tampa.

People were imprisoned for the saddest of reasons. Stealing loaves of bread or potatoes, etc.

We also noted that people were shorter- This is Chandler at the door of one of the cells.

This is the room where condemned men were held prior to execution. Scott and I felt crowded, so we stepped out of the room. Chandler was in front of the tour guide and felt like it would be rude to leave. So, he sat there, looking this uncomfortable until she was finished speaking. I had Scott snap a pic. haha.

This is the second portion of the prison- Nicer than the first- not as nice as the third.

More cell doors. S