What’s on the iPod: Super Bass by Nicki Manaj
No, that’s not adverb/preposition overload. We had our Aussies over for a four-day visit. We’d met them and instantly clicked at the clan gathering in Inverness (Scotland) three years ago, and when they mentioned they were thinking of planning a trip to the US, we were quick to invite them to visit. They accepted and we prepared for what turned out to be a great time.
First, we met them at the airport and headed right to one of our favorite pubs, Belgian Cafe. Say what you will about food in NYC being fantastic (and for the most part it is) – Philadelphia can hold its own, too. This place is no exception. The food is great and the beers (hundreds of them) are a treat. Our friends enjoyed it and we ate like kings.
The next day we were off to Manhattan. Carol wanted nothing more than to sample an “American” pizza in Manhattan. We obliged. It wasn’t bad pizza, either. Then we went off to the 9/11 Memorial, which I’d been wanting to visit, for a more somber, reflective time. Then off through Battery Park to the Staten Island Ferry (free), where they got great photos of the old girl in the harbor (you know her) and Ellis Island. Then back to Manhattan for a trip up the Empire State Building (ridiculous what they charge!), and down to the gift shop next door so they could find souvenirs for back home. Then it was dinner at St. Andrew’s Pub. I keep finding more favorites on the whiskey list every time we visit. Then a quick view of Times Square before heading home.
The next day we were exhausted, so we toured our town, got a few errands in, took a short walk, and had lunch at Molly Maguire’s. Then we visited Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department. Eric is a fireman in Queensland region, and he wanted badly to connect to other firemen, if only to swap t-shirts. He’d carried a few from home to exchange with locals here. And the VFVFD did not disappoint. He came out loaded down with not one, but four shirts to take home. We just happened to show up when a friend was in the hall, so that didn’t hurt. But the guys were thrilled to meet him and to swap stories. And it made Eric happy to find some commonality.
We went home and relaxed. I got the idea to do so with some of our own whiskies, and Eric offered up some he had just purchased in Scotland. That got everyone nice and warm! We had a great time laughing and telling stories over the only dinner I cooked the entire visit (and didn’t cook the broccoli enough, dammit!).
Saturday we canoed the Brandywine Creek – a lovely, 2 1/2 hour trip that netted us many spotted fish, various birds, and one bald eagle. We came home tired, but happy to be outside.
Our Australian friends are now in Arizona finishing up their first trip to the US, and I’m wandering around like I’d lost an arm. They’re more than just visitors and clan members (MacBean/McBain) – they’re now family. I miss them like hell and wish we lived closer. True good friends are tough to find.
And I’m exhausted. I didn’t do much cooking at all while they were here (planned to, but it never transpired), but making sure they had a great time took a toll for some reason. I hit the bed like a pile of lead every night.
Yesterday the plan was to read and watch bad tv. However, daughter interrupted with a shopping trip. (And she’s doing worlds better. Thank you everyone for prayers and good thoughts as she struggled with anxiety. She’s got therapy to get through and meds to get regulated, but she’s improved dramatically.) Also, my husband interrupted with help on a mower repair. I did get a chance to relax in the evening.
However, no rest for the wicked. Today I’m full tilt on a new website project (due in a week), a newsletter to get sorted, and I have a few loose ends invoice-wise to tie up (plus a few more projects to get going). It could get ugly, but I intend to charge forward. I’m away again next week (but will be working some of it), so I have to get a head start.
How are you? How was your weekend?
What a fabulous-sounding weekend, Lori. I love visiting with people from different countries, different cultures. We still stay in touch with an Aussie lass who was an exchange student when my younger brother was in high school-a looong time ago. She calls my mom Mum Millah. 🙂
We had a nice surprise visit with my younger sister who has a new job and it brought her to Boise. She lives on a farm about 2 1/2 hours south of Boise and we don't get together as much as I'd like. So that was a treat.
I got only one walk in this weekend as we are still dealing with horrible air quality from the fires in the area. Pray for a strong wind to blow the gunk out of the valley.
Got some creative writing in that I've been neglecting and am lovin' my new cable connection on my computer. My work computer was a wireless connection and a lousy one at that. Don't know what took me so long to get the cable connection.
So happy your daughter is progressing. Hugs to you both. Have a great week all. (I was going to say smokin', but that's what we're trying to get rid of). 🙂
Hey, Millah. 🙂
You may get that strong wind if Isaac tracks the right direction. Praying for it. Sounds like you had a lovely weekend, as well!
Sounds wonderful!
Mermaid Ball Saturday — got home by 1 AM. Up at 4:30 Am and quickly on the road for a 10 hour round trip to Ct. Exhausted.
And have to hit the ground running today.
Saturday was a blur of cleaning, preparing and cooking for Sunday's co-birthday bash. I was actually ahead of the cleaning schedule (amazing how having guests more than once or twice a year helps in keeping the dust bunnies under control). I think I have a bone spur developing in left heel – that was so sore by Saturday night but felt fine Sunday.
Sunday was all fun – after the make-your-own-subs meal, the guys did dishes. Then we tortured the kids by making them wait for presents until after dessert (the S'mores cake turned out so cute, and several people went off their strict diets to have cake.) Then the entire family played a game called Apples to Apples. Not sure how he did it, but my brother won!
I'm glad it was a nice indoor rainy day. The game was great because everybody joined in.