Oxford-the town

Yesterday John, Wendy and I spent the day in Oxford, seeing the sites and just enjoying the wonderful pastries from the French Market. They are beyond belief in their taste. Too bad I can't take some home with me, but the memories will linger and so will the pounds added.

John and I toured the Oxford Museum of Natural History and saw a dinosaur from Harding SD. We really enjoyed our favorite-Trilobites a arthroped that I think is just too cute. I am enclosing pictures.

We concluded the day by attending a play production that Gareth and Bronwyn were in. What a full day.

We ate lunch in our now favorite pup the Red Lion, I had a traditional British Pie which back in America would be a pot pie.

Enjoy the pictures

London

Today John and I spent a wonderful day walking about the city of London, playing tourist and really enjoying the day. Weather wise it was overcast but the rain did not come until we were done for the day. The changing of the guard is at 11:30 each morning and we got there in time, getting a good spot and watching the precise movements of the guards as they went through their routine. The flag flying indicated that the Queen was in residence which made it a little more exciting for this American. The royal horse guard was awesome, the horses are perfectly matched in size and color. We went by one of the horse guards, he did not move a muscle and that was both rider and horse. Talk about discipline and training. Big Ben has the most delightful sounds when it strikes the time. We found a cafe that served the best coffee, you could stand a spoon up in it and it was good. All the buildings are so well cared for and the various periods of architecture. I had such a good time from riding the train to the subways. So many new and exciting memories. Thanks John for showing your Mom a wonderful time. Enjoy the pictures.

Headed to London

John and I will be playing tourist in London today. We have a train to catch and will go to the hub of the city and do a fun walking tour. Camera is ready. Yesterday I got to be Granny on Duty, both John and Wendy had obligations at their colleges so I got to take the girls to school and then pick them up again at 3:00. Supper was a unanimous fish and chips. My hair has been styled in several ways via my new 3 little hair dressers and I am learning the game of Ono. Despite the weather giving us snow and slush the time is passing all too quickly. Will keep you posted on our trip today. Having a great time being Granny.

pictures of Enland 2010 trip

Sunday morning

Good morning from across the pond.
Yesterday we took Bronwyn to the Gold Fish Bowl, a huge fish store (3rd largest in the UK) to purchase fish for the beloved Butterfly who died. Butterfly was a gold fish and we had a proper funeral for her. Bronwyn chose 3 guppies, 2 girls and 1 boy and is so delighted with them. Bronwyn is in charge of the feeding and care of the fish. Happy Birthday a little early honey.

We took a walking tour around the neighborhood to St Johns and St Marys Church and Cemetery, the church cemetery is now closed one as it is full, the stones are from the 1800s and some are made from wood. There are walking paths throughout and benches to take a rest. Very peaceful and interesting to walk through.

Last night Shane Szarkowski a friend of Johns and former co-worker at UPD came to visit, we went to the Rusty Bicycle for a brew and quails eggs. I find the quail eggs not to my taste but interesting, they are served boiled with celery salt.

Friday the girls had their day out, we so enjoyed a walking trip to downtown Oxford and a trip to one of the museums. I really felt old when I was shown a picture of my daughter-in-law in the museum ( I thought only old things went in museums-ha ha) Wendy is in her PhD in Archeology and one of the digs she was photographed at is on display. Very impressive Wendy. This museum is several stories tall and you need a map to guide you from display to display. I would highly recommend the Ashmolean Museum to anyone visiting Oxford. Google it and get an idea what we enjoyed. We had lunch at the Red Lion, the coffee is good and strong, nothing like we are served in America. The food here is good.

Today we will be going to the Natural Museum, which shall fill the entire afternoon, it that huge.
Hope you are having a great day, I know I will be.

I made it to England

I have forgotten how long the plane flight is over the pond. The flight really was smooth, I did manage to get some sleep which helped pass the time. Wendy picked me up and we took the bus to Oxford. The webcam was set up in the garden so all I had to do was smile and start waving as my image was being sent into the house computer. I really thought there would be alot of excited screams. What I got was 3 little faces looking out the patio door in disbelief that their Granny was really there. Gareth is now taller than me and his voice is very deep, he is now a young man. Fiona has hair down to the middle of her waist-she is now shy. She is a very good reader and like to read to me. Bronwyn is my velcro buddy, she loves being by my side and reading to me. Enya has the prettiest long curls and she said I just knew I would come.
John and Wendy are looking good and are very busy with their schooling. Will be posting pictures when John shows me how. Right now we have blue skies something very unusual for this time of the year. I like to think it is because Granny is here.

The count down has begun

Last night I got to go watch Logan and Hunter play Mitchell in Hockey. They won 5-0, Logan scoring one of the goals. It is fun to watch and as much as you want them to be with you after the game, they do prefer hanging out with their friends. Thant's OK boys I understand.

I have a few minutes before going to work. It is my weekend to work so will be at Park Place Assisted Living from 7am to 7pm. The time usually flies by. Soooo Monday I HAVE to FINISH my packing as I will be leaving Tuesday morning for Minneapolis where I board United to England. I will be there for 2 weeks. I have all my clothes laid out on the suitcase and all I really have to do is roll them up and put them in and weigh the entire bag as I am only limited to 50#. My carry on will have the gifts I am bringing and my camera. oh yes and an extra pair of undies in case they loose my luggage. The kids do not know I am coming but Wendy said that Enya is starting to think Granny is coming. I will be posting to my blog as often as I can and will post pictures so that you can share with me my trip to England. We are going to spend one day in London which will be fascinating. I am bringing my genealogy with so that John can look at it and have a copy. My Moms side is all Welsh/English so will give Wendy and John a list of places I would someday like to visit and take pictures for further trips. I am excited to see the children as it has been almost 2 years. Please follow me on my blog for the next couple of weeks. Next post will more than likely be coming from England.

Another year older

My birthday is now over, it was a nice day, and I do not mind turning another year. After all age is just a number, what counts is how we feel inside. I got so many phone calls and so many greetings from my Face Book friends and family. Harlan took me out for lunch and then Kathy and Gracie joined us for supper. Kathy gave me a beautiful white gold diamond and amethyst heart necklace, absolutely beautiful, very dainty and delicate Susan gave me a book that took me into spring just looking at the pictures. I now have several of the pages marked for projects that I would like to give a try. John called from England but I missed their call, but I do have those sweet British voices saved on my voice mail. Thanks so much to each of you who remembered me on my fun and special day. May God bless you as He has blessed me.

The next year will be better

Kathy and Sean with a nice buck

Hunter, Logan, Austin, Gracie in their new home

One year ago tomorrow was a tough day for my daughter Kathy, her husband Sean and their 4 children Logan, Hunter, Austin and Gracie. That was the day that they lost their home and belongings to a fire. What they lost was their home but what they found was what a great communities Brookings, Volga and surrounding areas are. Friends and strangers alike came with donations of money, gift certificates, clothing, furniture, food and just plain "how can we help." Businesses put out donation jars, volunteers came to help sort through the ashes and write down pages and pages of lost inventory what was in each room. Then out of the ashes came a new home that many hands helped to lighten the work. This fall they moved into their new home and the new memories started.

Also this year Kathy was diagnosed with Melanoma but thank God it was caught in time and she is under the care of a Dermatologist who is keeping tabs on her. Kathy also was diagnosed with Graves disease a autoimmune disease that has a tendency to run in families (my side). Then at the start of 2010 Hunter broke a bone in his hand requiring surgery and 2 pins and a cast to the elbow.

Yes a year has about passed and a new "year" can start tomorrow Feb 2, 2010, and I just know it will be better than the past. Through all of this Sean and Kathy have kept a strong relationship, based on love and trust. Their children continue to grow and keep them busy but that is after all what good memories are made of.