We traveled by boat and train to London yesterday. It turned out to be an arduous 13 hour journey, so I composed this on the way --
The Sea and Me
I got upon the ferry with my books and all my mags,
I swear I didn't notice those ubiquitous barf bags.
Into my mouth I popped a sweet and salty snack,
Got out my book and pillow and leaned my body back.
I thought it would be fun to cross the Irish Sea;
How was I to know what the sea had planned for me?
The captain told us plainly, "This will be a choppy trip"
I didn't realize he meant the sea would let her rip!
At first I thought a cannon had exploded up on deck.
What else could cause that shaking and sensation of a wreck?
We surfed the waves with a zig and a zag,
I would've surrendered if I'd had a white flag.
We cruised along for three long hours
My innards liked it not.
They thought they were in _Poseidon Adventure_,
And they didn't like the plot.
One daughter watched the waves;
While one slept the whole way through.
My husband?
He deemed it all an adventurous thing to do.
But me? I grabbed a barf bag
And held on for dear life.
The rocking and the rolling added to my strife.
At last, the journey ended,
Thanks be to the Lord.
You'll never hear my say again,
"I wish I weren't so bored."
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Celebrity Stalking
FMM: 4 mi
Hi, Folks,
We're still at it - hanging out, sitting on the bed under blankets surreptitiously reading each other's e-mails, Facebooks, or Googles. (Disclaimer: Bob does not take part in this foolishness; he minds his own business and continues his plod through _Ulysses_). Later we pull out the air mattress, plop in front of the TV with yet more blankets and pillows, and continue to watch the BBC series _Doc Martin_. We will be lost when it is over...Of course, we do all this wallering only AFTER we have completed our Forced March for the day. Yesterday we went to Dalkey. Dalkey Castle was closed, but we found a few summit to climb, a foggy seashore to stroll, an island to photograph, and a few celebrity homes to stalk. Bono and Enya live there as does a very popular author. Molly is still laughing at my response to locating her home after interrupting an unsuspecting restaurant worker's cigarette smoke in a back alley. Molly claims she had never seen me so excited. This proves once and for all that I am a very shallow person. After raising my fist in victory, I "God blessed" the bloke who Molly had sheepish eye contact with as I (MOM-) ran from the alley to --okay I'll tell you -- Maeve Binchy's home. We took a few pictures in front of her house and deemed our stalking a great success. I know Marianne J is most excited at this moment and will demand a replay when she comes to visit.
We are going by boat and train to London tomorrow. We'll meet Tim and Megan. I am not sure of my computer or WiFi access; blogging is iffy. So, I will wish you all a Happy New Year today! May you enjoy a few hours of wallering yourself.
Walking, Stalking, and Gawking,
I remain,
Mom/Tizmom/Tizzie/Tiz/Liz/Elizabeth
Mom/Tizmom/Tizzie/Tiz/Liz/Elizabeth
Hi, Folks,
We're still at it - hanging out, sitting on the bed under blankets surreptitiously reading each other's e-mails, Facebooks, or Googles. (Disclaimer: Bob does not take part in this foolishness; he minds his own business and continues his plod through _Ulysses_). Later we pull out the air mattress, plop in front of the TV with yet more blankets and pillows, and continue to watch the BBC series _Doc Martin_. We will be lost when it is over...Of course, we do all this wallering only AFTER we have completed our Forced March for the day. Yesterday we went to Dalkey. Dalkey Castle was closed, but we found a few summit to climb, a foggy seashore to stroll, an island to photograph, and a few celebrity homes to stalk. Bono and Enya live there as does a very popular author. Molly is still laughing at my response to locating her home after interrupting an unsuspecting restaurant worker's cigarette smoke in a back alley. Molly claims she had never seen me so excited. This proves once and for all that I am a very shallow person. After raising my fist in victory, I "God blessed" the bloke who Molly had sheepish eye contact with as I (MOM-) ran from the alley to --okay I'll tell you -- Maeve Binchy's home. We took a few pictures in front of her house and deemed our stalking a great success. I know Marianne J is most excited at this moment and will demand a replay when she comes to visit.
We are going by boat and train to London tomorrow. We'll meet Tim and Megan. I am not sure of my computer or WiFi access; blogging is iffy. So, I will wish you all a Happy New Year today! May you enjoy a few hours of wallering yourself.
Walking, Stalking, and Gawking,
I remain,
Mom/Tizmom/Tizzie/Tiz/Liz/Elizabeth
Mom/Tizmom/Tizzie/Tiz/Liz/Elizabeth
Monday, December 28, 2009
Shopping and Straightening
Happy Monday, Mates & Mateys (still don't know if that's a word; do you?),
We are still cocooning here in Dublin. We have solved our most pressing problem: we have officially purchased a European hair straightener. The girls can now go outside without scandalizing Dublin and perhaps all of Europe with improperly coiffed hair. Me? I much prefer the puffy bob look which my velcro curlers provide quite well, thank you. Another beauty secret: I've always dried my hair mirrorless while reading a book. So, who says timeless style and beauty must be costly or complicated?..We went shopping and to the National Museum yesterday. Alas, the turquoise leather gloves I had eyed to match my new hat and scarf were gone so I can't complete my look. I do love to match. However, I have noticed that the average age of the women wearing my hat style is 10 - 20 year older than I. No mind, I will singlehandedly make it fashionable for the "younger set". We are almost keeping up with the laundry and definitely keeping up on the eating. Are you?
Today we're off to Dalkey Castle.
Mothering away,
I remain
Mom/Tizmom/Tizzie/Tiz/Liz/Elizabeth
We are still cocooning here in Dublin. We have solved our most pressing problem: we have officially purchased a European hair straightener. The girls can now go outside without scandalizing Dublin and perhaps all of Europe with improperly coiffed hair. Me? I much prefer the puffy bob look which my velcro curlers provide quite well, thank you. Another beauty secret: I've always dried my hair mirrorless while reading a book. So, who says timeless style and beauty must be costly or complicated?..We went shopping and to the National Museum yesterday. Alas, the turquoise leather gloves I had eyed to match my new hat and scarf were gone so I can't complete my look. I do love to match. However, I have noticed that the average age of the women wearing my hat style is 10 - 20 year older than I. No mind, I will singlehandedly make it fashionable for the "younger set". We are almost keeping up with the laundry and definitely keeping up on the eating. Are you?
Today we're off to Dalkey Castle.
Mothering away,
I remain
Mom/Tizmom/Tizzie/Tiz/Liz/Elizabeth
Friday, December 25, 2009
The Morning After
FMM: 12/24 : 7 mi
FMM: 12/25 0 (Does waddling count??)
Happy birthday to the Christmas baby, Bob Bridwell!!!
Hi, Party On-ers,
You must be dying to know how our Christmas was, so here goes.. Christmas Eve we ate seafood (okay, Nancy had a cheeseburger)at The Bloody Stream (nice name for a restaurant, don't you think?)in Howth. It was bitterly cold and wet, but that didn't stop us from an invigorating walk up the hills to a cliffside view of the ocean. We didn't mind; after all, we are the mighty O'Connell Clan! Actually, Molly DID mind, so she and I had hot tea at The Summit Inn instead. Once she heard everyone describe the views, Molly decided that she DID want to see them, so she and I eventually climbed to the top. After 6 miles of forced marching, we came home, ate chili, got dressed and went to 11:00 PM Mass at St. Teresa's near Grafton St. It took Bob a while to figure out what all the bright lights, cameras, and free candles were all about, but eventually - with our help - he deduced that the Mass was being televised throughout Ireland. He wasn't too mad. Afterward there were no taxis available, so we finished our day with another invigorating walk. You'll understand why I did the unthinkable on Christmas morning: I slept until 9:00 AM! My family got to witness many of my Christmas morning antics that I usually keep hidden: things like spilling raw turkey juice all over the countertops and discovering I've gift wrapped 3 socks for Megan and just 1 for Nancy. You surely keep such secrets from your family, too, right? Somehow we had gifts to open, food to eat, and a few laughs along the way. We watched the movie _Michael Collins_ and the kids enjoyed seeing many Irish places they've visited...We are very sad to see Tim and Megan go to Scotland today.
Hope you are enjoying the holidays with your loved ones. Write and tell me all about it. I care! And I LOVE to waste time.
Wasting time, but not wasting away,
I remain
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
FMM: 12/25 0 (Does waddling count??)
Happy birthday to the Christmas baby, Bob Bridwell!!!
Hi, Party On-ers,
You must be dying to know how our Christmas was, so here goes.. Christmas Eve we ate seafood (okay, Nancy had a cheeseburger)at The Bloody Stream (nice name for a restaurant, don't you think?)in Howth. It was bitterly cold and wet, but that didn't stop us from an invigorating walk up the hills to a cliffside view of the ocean. We didn't mind; after all, we are the mighty O'Connell Clan! Actually, Molly DID mind, so she and I had hot tea at The Summit Inn instead. Once she heard everyone describe the views, Molly decided that she DID want to see them, so she and I eventually climbed to the top. After 6 miles of forced marching, we came home, ate chili, got dressed and went to 11:00 PM Mass at St. Teresa's near Grafton St. It took Bob a while to figure out what all the bright lights, cameras, and free candles were all about, but eventually - with our help - he deduced that the Mass was being televised throughout Ireland. He wasn't too mad. Afterward there were no taxis available, so we finished our day with another invigorating walk. You'll understand why I did the unthinkable on Christmas morning: I slept until 9:00 AM! My family got to witness many of my Christmas morning antics that I usually keep hidden: things like spilling raw turkey juice all over the countertops and discovering I've gift wrapped 3 socks for Megan and just 1 for Nancy. You surely keep such secrets from your family, too, right? Somehow we had gifts to open, food to eat, and a few laughs along the way. We watched the movie _Michael Collins_ and the kids enjoyed seeing many Irish places they've visited...We are very sad to see Tim and Megan go to Scotland today.
Hope you are enjoying the holidays with your loved ones. Write and tell me all about it. I care! And I LOVE to waste time.
Wasting time, but not wasting away,
I remain
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Day B4 Christmas
FMM: 2 mi
Good morning, Bloggies,
Now today I KNOW you should be doing something else today, but welcome to Tiztalk aka "The Blog from the Bog" (p. mandell credit)anyway. Slackers do love company. It is pitch black at 8:30 AM as I stand in my tiny kitchen typing this. So far no one has awakened and actually made me do anything. Last night we went to O'Brien's Pub where Nancy downed two beers in quick succession. Molly and I looked on in horror and disgust. Today we are headed to Howth to walk along the seashore and eat fresh seafood. Tonight we'll go to 11:00 Mass at a church near Grafton St., a very popular area. Everyone but Bob knows that the Mass is being televised throughout the country. Won't he be surprised? At least the music should be good...
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Good morning, Bloggies,
Now today I KNOW you should be doing something else today, but welcome to Tiztalk aka "The Blog from the Bog" (p. mandell credit)anyway. Slackers do love company. It is pitch black at 8:30 AM as I stand in my tiny kitchen typing this. So far no one has awakened and actually made me do anything. Last night we went to O'Brien's Pub where Nancy downed two beers in quick succession. Molly and I looked on in horror and disgust. Today we are headed to Howth to walk along the seashore and eat fresh seafood. Tonight we'll go to 11:00 Mass at a church near Grafton St., a very popular area. Everyone but Bob knows that the Mass is being televised throughout the country. Won't he be surprised? At least the music should be good...
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Living Better Electrically
FMM: 1.5 mi
Hi, Frost Bunnies,
The O'Connells of Ireland are alive and well, thank you. In fact, we are improving every day. Tim has set the Irish time on my phone, so now I know what time it is; I just need to figure out where I am. He has also retrieved all of my phone messages since last Sept. Thanks to anyone who called. He is threatening to set my computer to Irish time -- like I can figure out what time 14:27 is! Luckily, I have Mom's old watch and I know how to set it and read it quite well ..Molly and Nancy have informed me that my hairdryer is totally substandard (although my remarkably lush and thick hair has been dried quite satisfactorily for 4 mos) and when Megan leaves with hers we will have a major crisis on our hands. Molly is her mother's daughter as she managed to burn out the new $33 electrical converter for the hair straightener the very first day , so an even bigger catastrophe (no HAIR STRAIGHTENER!!!) is looming when Megan leaves on Saturday with her working converter. We have had a few electrical Adapter Wars, but so far our batteries and our patience are holding out, even in the direst of circumstances -- a 5 min delay in checking one's e-mail on one of the 4 laptops...We did take a tour of the Wicklow Mtns yesterday and managed to survive the bus trip without producing any evidence of our widespread carsickness. We braved the bitter cold to hike at Glendalough. Molly and Nancy think they've died and gone to heck (my kids read this you know) with all the forced marches in the bitter cold; however, we all know it's not cold down there, so I think they're wrong. Anyway, Bob is waiting for me to hike to the post office and pick up a Box of Love from Mary...Tim is threatening to teach me how to post pictures and use boldface on the Blog from the Bog, so watch out! The future is at hand!!
Walking and talking,
I remain,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Hi, Frost Bunnies,
The O'Connells of Ireland are alive and well, thank you. In fact, we are improving every day. Tim has set the Irish time on my phone, so now I know what time it is; I just need to figure out where I am. He has also retrieved all of my phone messages since last Sept. Thanks to anyone who called. He is threatening to set my computer to Irish time -- like I can figure out what time 14:27 is! Luckily, I have Mom's old watch and I know how to set it and read it quite well ..Molly and Nancy have informed me that my hairdryer is totally substandard (although my remarkably lush and thick hair has been dried quite satisfactorily for 4 mos) and when Megan leaves with hers we will have a major crisis on our hands. Molly is her mother's daughter as she managed to burn out the new $33 electrical converter for the hair straightener the very first day , so an even bigger catastrophe (no HAIR STRAIGHTENER!!!) is looming when Megan leaves on Saturday with her working converter. We have had a few electrical Adapter Wars, but so far our batteries and our patience are holding out, even in the direst of circumstances -- a 5 min delay in checking one's e-mail on one of the 4 laptops...We did take a tour of the Wicklow Mtns yesterday and managed to survive the bus trip without producing any evidence of our widespread carsickness. We braved the bitter cold to hike at Glendalough. Molly and Nancy think they've died and gone to heck (my kids read this you know) with all the forced marches in the bitter cold; however, we all know it's not cold down there, so I think they're wrong. Anyway, Bob is waiting for me to hike to the post office and pick up a Box of Love from Mary...Tim is threatening to teach me how to post pictures and use boldface on the Blog from the Bog, so watch out! The future is at hand!!
Walking and talking,
I remain,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Monday, December 21, 2009
Shopping and Singing
December 21 blogpost
FMM: 2 mi
Hi, Lads (they seem to use that here like we do "guys", so I won't add "lassies"),
If you talk to my daughters they will probably insist we walked 50 miles instead of 2. It could have something to do with their failure to wear warm clothing and to cover their heads. They were freezing, but they looked great. Meanwhile I was bundled up like the Michelin man; I looked adorable AND felt great. The girls enjoyed the Irish fashions. Nancy was most willing to change her "look". However, Molly determined that the clothes made her look like Elton John, Ellen Degeneres (I LOVED the black blazer), or the worst of all: Me!... Tim and Megan were off on a 6 hr bus ride to the Rock of Cashel only to discover that it was closed due to frost. I think they managed a good nap on the bus. Bob was doing what all good dads do when given the choice: sitting on the couch and reading a book while we were all out... We went to the Arlington Hotel for an Irish Dinner and Music/Dance Show. Nancy volunteered to get on stage and dance a reel and Bob was singled out for his sing-a-long prowess. The performers were right: the entertainment got better as the Guinness flowed. Anyway, we all made it home and only Molly is still suffering from jetlag...We are off to the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough today.
Boozing and schmoozing,
I remain
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
FMM: 2 mi
Hi, Lads (they seem to use that here like we do "guys", so I won't add "lassies"),
If you talk to my daughters they will probably insist we walked 50 miles instead of 2. It could have something to do with their failure to wear warm clothing and to cover their heads. They were freezing, but they looked great. Meanwhile I was bundled up like the Michelin man; I looked adorable AND felt great. The girls enjoyed the Irish fashions. Nancy was most willing to change her "look". However, Molly determined that the clothes made her look like Elton John, Ellen Degeneres (I LOVED the black blazer), or the worst of all: Me!... Tim and Megan were off on a 6 hr bus ride to the Rock of Cashel only to discover that it was closed due to frost. I think they managed a good nap on the bus. Bob was doing what all good dads do when given the choice: sitting on the couch and reading a book while we were all out... We went to the Arlington Hotel for an Irish Dinner and Music/Dance Show. Nancy volunteered to get on stage and dance a reel and Bob was singled out for his sing-a-long prowess. The performers were right: the entertainment got better as the Guinness flowed. Anyway, we all made it home and only Molly is still suffering from jetlag...We are off to the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough today.
Boozing and schmoozing,
I remain
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
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