YIKES!

I told Terry the other day that I REALLY need to post a blog tomorrow, he said, that is what you said last week......and the week before that........AND the week before that!

Yikes! Where has the time gone? It can't be almost Valentines Day!

It was hard to say good-bye to my Mom in January, we had such fun while she was here, so many stories that I should have shared along the way. Our trip to the markets plus our jaunt down memory lane to Landstuhl come to mind, but for this blog I will share a story from our Ireland trip.

Mom, Terry and I arrived in Dublin on St. Stephens Day, or Boxing Day as it is known in England. We had arranged to let an apartment on the south side of town near where the Rigney's live. We called Mikal and he agreed to pick us up at half one- which by the way is how the Irish tell time, it sounds quaint doesn't it? He was delighted to meet Mom and Terry, he then took us to his Mother's house where we were treated to a memorable lunch. She had obviously put some time into it, there was a huge amount of food and the table was set beautifully. She is is a charming and vivacious woman, Mikal calls her Mudds. I can only guess that it's a shortened version of Mother-Mudder-Mudds.......however, I never did ask. Lunch concluded with a special cake Mudds had made before her Spain holiday- (I didn't dare ask when that was) she did need a VERY sharp knife plus Terry to help hold the cake while she hacked into it.....I likened it to a fruit cake covered (sealed you might say) in marzipan! And she told us that she had saved cutting it just for us! She did rembember to unplug the blinking Christmas light atop the cake prior to consumption! Too funny, I didn't dare look at my Mom.

Mikal loaded us in his car and began a tour of Bray and the surrounding area. It was a beautiful drive that took us on a coastal route that included a peek at the residence of U-2's Bono.

At various times throughout the day, Mikals wife Aideen had called his cell, we could hardly help but hear his end of the conversation......things like "no dear, I really didn't eat much" (we certainly had) and "yes, dear we will be home round half six or so to be sure" We were just passengers along for the ride, I did wonder at the twinkle in both his and Mudds eye.....True to his word, we finished the sightseeing and the five of us arrived at his home to be welcomed by his family. Introductions made and then with drinks in hand............ we were led to the dining room and saw that Aideen had a formal dinner table set and we were the guest of honor!

I would pay good money to have a picture of the look Mom's face when the (heaping) plate of food was set in front of her, no wonder Mikal only picked lightly at lunch at Mudd's house! Needless to say the conversation and the wine flowed late into the evening. I do believe I waddled on the way outside to get into a cab back to our apt. I was very thankful there was not another "Irish Christmas Cake" for dessert!

love and miss you all