ICE = plural

It was a really hot day in Ireland.  I was missing ice.  I ordered a sandwich and a coke.  I asked the lady for a cup of ice.  Anticipation was in the air.  The wonderful sound of coca cola pouring over a glass of ice on a hot - hot day was making me feel like a child on Christmas morning.  Imagine my delight disappointment when I received one cube of ice. 

Yes... the picture says it all.  (thanks to Adrienne C. for photo)  I am in the background of the picture holding my straw.  I know life doesn't end over one ice cube but boo hoo hoo.  I am a Southern girl from the States and I do LOVE me some ICE.  I looked up the definition of ice and it doesn't say that it is plural word but I really believe that ICE is plural and when I order it - I want lots of it!!  :)

The Little Red Hen

David and I are in a snacky (I know - not a word) mood and it is FRIDAY!!  Me:  David, let's bake some brownies together.  David:  You can make them and I will eat them.  That is our "together".  It is team work.  You make 'em, I eat 'em.  Me:  Instantly my mind goes to one of my FAVORITE children stories, The Little Red Hen.  Who will help me make the brownies?  Not I said the darling husband.  Then I will make them said the sweet wife and you will not help me eat them.  (maybe it doesn't say those exact words) 

So... Sweet wife goes into the kitchen and takes out all the items.  Darling husband grudgingly follows and picks up phone and starts to play, Cut the Rope.  He says, "Will standing in the kitchen with you be enough?"  Lord, help him.  Sweet wife gives darling husband tasks to do, measure flour and so forth. 

I pulled up The Little Red Hen on google and was reading it.  I asked David if he remembered this story and he said he has never heard it before and if he did he doesn't remember it.  So... like the sweet wife that I am... I read it to him and then we ate a few brownies!!

Side note:  All the things I bake here are not turning out like they did back home.  What could the problem be?   errrr....

Georgia on my mind

I am really missing my family a LOT this week.  With David being away it is extra quiet and my thoughts are always heading back to Georgia. (think Ray Charles or Michael Bolton - your choice)  I love Georgia but I really love what is in Georgia!!  My boys, my mom, my family.  They mean the world to me and they are a world away.  Dear family of mine...if you're reading this - I love you with ALL of my 5 foot 1 1/2 inch self!! 
"God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable."
 -Charles Stanley

 Christian the eldest and Jeremy the "baby"

 Mom and sister - Kim

 The nephews and the greats!  Brandon, Garrett, Austin and Colton (my side of family)

Mary, my 3 year old friend who picked out matching pink cookie owls for us!  She's my little sweetheart!

Athleague...a place we call home.

A few weeks back David and I took a walk up the road to discover our little town of Athleague.  We went on the River Suck (pronounced Sook) walking trail.  What we thought would be a "normal" trail ended up being quite an adventure.  As we walked and walked and walked... it seemed as if this trail would never end.  After a deep discussion (like me whining that it is getting late and I was getting tired and did not want to get caught in the rain... the list goes on) we decided to turn back around.  All I can say is being whiny is sometimes a good thing.  We found out the walking trail we were on would take 3 - 5 days to complete and that's not really my thang!  I hope the pictures capture some of the fun!

You see a sign that says to take caution because you are entering farm land.  hmmmm.....

 

 

We continued to encounter these obstacles along the trail.

Behind this cafe' is our home.

 In town.

 A small grocery store.

Which way to go?  For me  - I must follow the path of obedience to my  heavenly Father!!  I love Him so.

...and their off !!!

The Big Red Bus takes off and is headed to Carrick on Shannon!  The newest bus driver, David, is behind the wheel.  :)  The Creative Arts team and a few others will be in the parade that starts at 7pm tonight.  After the parade they will open the >> Free Tea and Coffee Bar << and hoping to engage in some very meaningful conversation - pointing others to our heavenly Father.  Please join me in prayer for safety, planting seeds and/or harvesting and their alertness for the late drive back home. 

They will head out tomorrow morning around 8:30am and will do a Kids Programme at Castledaly Manor.  (I will be going to this)  The Creative Arts team has been very busy making shadow puppets and will do a short inspirational skit.  (they taped their voices already and David had one line in it)  David also was over there cutting out picture frames, etc.  I LOVE that he is getting in touch with his creative side.  Who knows what this may lead up to... he might join me in a craft or two.  lol

I apologize for the amateur video that is attached.  Hopefully, this will improve.  Feel free to laugh :)

Immersions and Boilers and Oil - OH MY!!!

This is a picture of our oil tank.  We had oil for the first couple of days in our home and then it was empty. 
This is where the "oh my" part comes in.  Oh my, my feet are cold.  Oh my, my nose is cold and runny.  Oh  my - you get the picture.  OR do you? 
The oil is used to heat up our boiler.  The boiler provides our space heating through radiators and provides our hot water.  So we had to use our kettle to warm up water to wash dishes, etc.  We have an immersion which can also be used to warm up water, however, our immersion quit working at the same time.  The immersion is a more expensive option for warm water.  We have been without heat for 3 days.  (I'm going for sympathy here)  We now have oil!  But the boiler had to go through some kind of bleeding process.  The plumber came by yesterday and fixed the boiler and the immersion.  When he was there I could feel heat through the radiators and was so excited.  Shortly after he left... no more heat.  boo hoo hoo.  I am not sure what was wrong.  David was with a team on the Big Red Bus and me and maintenance type things don't really work well together.  I did attempt to look at things but couldn't figure it out.  In the meantime... as I was sitting on the sofa all bundled up with a soft blanket and talking to my "mum" the washing machine quits working.  Come to find out - all the electrical outlets were not working. 
>>> Cast all your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you;  He will never let the righteous be shaken. <<<<  Psalm 55:22

Our Ireland home - Even with all the crazy problems we are having I still feel at peace and know that God is in control.  I feel toasty inside because His love blankets me in warmth.  Thank you Lord!

Birthday wishes for Dave!

David had his 47th birthday on May 5th!  We celebrated by going to see Iron Man 3 and eating at Burger King the night before.  The next day was not good for him as he had to take me to the DR and nurse a sick wife back to health.  He was very sweet and I survived. lol. 

>>> Thank you Angela and boys for making this beautiful cake for David.  It was tasty and a nice surprise!  The lovely kitchen you see in the background of picture belongs to Kevin and Angela. <<<