Jetlagged in Ireland

Well, we made it with all our luggage in tow. Twelve hours on a plane, in the upright position, is no way to spend the night.

Ireland is an ancient but beautifully green city. The airport is rather old, but we did not have to pay for a cart to haul our suitcases. Bonus! On our walking tour today, our guide mentioned that anything with the word National in front of it (ie, National Library, National Museum) is free to access. I didn't notice if the luggage carts said National or not :) It's not like Americans that nickel and dime everything to death. Bathrooms are called Ladies and Gents. Cars going the opposite direction than what we're used to has been different. And cars are allowed to park along the side of the road in any direction. You take any spot that's available whether you're faced the right way or not. Power outlets have been a challenge. My curling brush is on the verge of blowing up, and I'm afraid it will be a week of very straight hair since I neglected to pack a round brush.

Our hotel is no Holiday Inn Express (http://www.fourseasons.com/dublin/). Upon arrival we set off on a walking tour of Dublin to stay awake and hopefully get on a better sleep schedule. Saw the old Trinity College that houses the Book of Kells (the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that are written in Latin and have survived many years), ruins of the old Dublin castle (built somewhere in the 1200s), many old buildings they refuse to tear down, and an old but beautiful Oregon maple (Ty wanted to transplant it to our backyard; it literally could have shaded 2 of our backyards).

Did I mention everything is old? It's not a terribly clean city either, something I also noticed in San Francisco. It's made me appreciate Salt Lake City for its cleanliness.

I guess tomorrow we are off to Belfast to see where the Titanic was made amid various other activities they have planned for us.

Pool Sharks

For FHE Nate was in charge of the activity and was intent on a pool tournament. I thought this would be quick: Tyler would trounce us all.

FIRST BRACKET: Dad/Nate vs. Mom

Winner: Mom surprised everyone with the upset win.

SECOND BRACKET: Kiersten vs. Erik

Winner: Kiersten

1st LOSERS ROUND: Dad/Nate vs. Erik

Winner: Erik

1st WINNERS ROUND: Kiersten vs. Mom

Winner: Kiersten; Mom lost by scratching on the 8 ball.

*Since this was a double elimination tournament, Erik was slotted to take on the loser of the winners circle.

2nd LOSERS ROUND: Erik vs. Mom

Winner: Erik; Mom lost by hitting the 8 ball in a pocket.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: Kiersten vs. Erik

Champion of Pool: Kiersten

I had no idea there was such talent in our house. My kids are really pretty good at pool. You have to also know that in our house there is no such thing as letting our kids win to boost their self-esteem. We all play our best. Kiersten won fair and square. Rock on!

Dearly Beloved,

We are gathered here today to pay our respects to Nathan's, um . . ., bike. Tissues anyone?

I know what you're thinking. Smashed van, smashed bike. No, I was not the perpetrator of this particular crime.

CASE NO. 18 (this offender is guilty of many misdeeds)

INCIDENT: Unauthorized use of a motorized vehicle; no driver's license

REPORTING OFFICER: his mother, Sara Lynes

DATE OF REPORT: April 16, 2008

At about 1300 hours I received a call from Mrs. Sara Lynes to report that a bike (Nathan Leary's) had been run over in her driveway located at 815 Country Club, Stansbury Park. She apprehended the four-year-old suspect entering her living room. Mrs. Lynes told me her son (alias: Daniel Lynes), intent on a joy ride in the family's 15-passenger van, committed the crime by stealing the keys hidden in her purse, unlocking the van, and backing it down the driveway. She did not give him permission to do this. It is unclear exactly who left Nathan's bike behind the van (although suspect no. 1 Nate or suspect no. 2 Daniel comes to mind with suspect no. 1 having a 98% probability).

The Lion, the Witch, and the Really Detestable Candy

Delicious or Vile?

For anyone who has ever read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, there is a scene where Edmund has followed his little sister Lucy into Narnia to discover he cannot find her. Soon after the White Witch happens upon him and offers him a ride in her sleigh. He dares not disobey her as she seduces him with a warm drink and Turkish Delight. At this point you begin to wonder, "What is Turkish Delight?" The narrator explains that Turkish Delight is enchanted, causing whomever eats it to feel an insatiable greed for more . . . "And Edmund had never tasted anything more delicious." Well, I can only imagine that it must taste like the finest chocolate or something so buttery and rich it melts in your mouth.

Voila! Edmund's object of gluttony was discovered the other night when we visited the London Market in Salt Lake City to get a flavor for the UK before embarking on our journey in a couple of weeks. Our family was very excited to taste Narnia's Turkish Delight.

The poll: 1 for and 5 against

It has a gummy center, enrobed with chocolate and can only be describe as tasting like a flower, a rose in particular, or somewhat like detergent or soap. Ashlyn is the only member of our family that actually likes it. In fact she likes it so much, I came home from running to find she had helped herself to the leftovers. She told me, "I didn't eat all the box." Ugh!

To fertilize or not to fertilize?

I bought fertilizer over a month ago eager to green up my yard. But when I got home and really scrutinized my front lawn, I discovered it was already green and really just needed to be mowed. So far I think I've been the only one in our immediate neighborhood who has mowed . . . and I've done it three times!

THE PROS of FERTILIZING

Fertilize in fall = first green lawn in the spring. BUT that initiates the season of mowing.

THE CONS of FERTILIZING

Don't fertilize in the fall = brown lawn like rest of neighborhood. AND there's no need to start mowing.

Truth is I enjoy mowing the lawn. It's like vacuuming. I love to see the lines of neatly cut grass (In my world of mowing, you push the lawnmower off and on in straight lines, none of that going around in one big circle. I must have inherited that from Dad when he insisted I drive the tractor on and off the garden plot in straight lines. He didn't mention that I should try to miss the willow tree . . . I was just trying to get that tractor off without turning a circle and the willow happened to be in the way. Who can't love that willow now all scarred and with a little character.). I also love the smell of the freshly cut grass. AND, just like vacuuming, it takes me to my happy place where neither kids nor phone can intrude. So . . . I guess I'll keep fertilizing.

The Five Love Languages

Words of Affirmation

Quality Time
Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch

What love language do you speak? A great book for every couple. At the back of the book is a quiz you can take to discover your love language. My dominate love language is acts of service (receiving the highest score possible of 12). It's very true . . . if you want to love me, show it. My second highest was quality time followed by words of affirmation, gifts, and lastly physical touch (receiving the lowest score possible of 0).

Several years ago Ty and I took a similar quiz offered by Dr. John Lund with the categories of Touch-Oriented, Verbal-Oriented, and Visual-Oriented. Out of a possible 27, I scored a 23 in visual-oriented (touch came in dead last again).

Not only does it help you find out how you'd like to receive love, but it was a great book in learning about your spouse's love language. I've even been trying to figure out my children's love language. I think Nate is definitely Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch. He is always telling me how much he loves me and giving me hugs. Erik, I think, enjoys Quality Time. Still haven't figured out Kiersten and Ash yet, although I did put a hold on the book The Five Love Languages of Children to help me out.

If you don't want to read the book, below are some links to basically the same quizzes.

http://www.drlund.com/love.cfm

http://www.greaterquest.com/LoveLanguages.asp