We really did have a lovely time.  One of the first ports of call was the West Side Market.  The current location has been around since 1912 and some families have rented stalls since the start. I remember going there as a small child.  Back then they had live chickens in timber cages and everything was very rustic.  Health and safety has put a stop to the good old days though and now it's a bit more 'upmarket'. 

Still a great place and highly recommend a visit if you're ever in the area.  Very popular stop on the campaign trail of most politicians...including Presidents. 

Mom bought Jack a cheesecake, various pastries and anything else she spotted him drooling at.  He did a fair bit of drooling. 

Click to see full-size image.

Meet the Folks

Jack and I went to Ohio last October.  He'd been to another part of the state on business back in '99.  Pretty sure he never expected to be meeting his future in-laws in the same state...13 years later.  We'd booked him for 11 days and I stayed for three weeks.  Jack seemed excited to meet everyone.  I was nervous as anything.

My mom is retired and my step-dad is in a high position with the company he works for, which means he can pretty much come and go as he pleases.  My sister does what she likes mostly and my brother took time off work to visit from New Jersey.  There was going to be A LOT of family time.  lol

The whole visit was a bit odd for me.  I still wasn't officially divorced and here I was introducing my new boyfriend.  Awkward much?  I seemed to be reciting the downfalls of Irish law at every turn.  (You must be separated for at least 4 years before you can even apply for a divorce...and then it takes at least another year to finalise it.)  Once that was out of the way, the confused looks and uncomfortable silence disappeared.  Phew!

Jack's just gone walking the boys and it's raining out.  I can't be arsed to get up and take a new photo of the get-up he wears in the autumn rain, but here's the summer version.  Crocodile Dundee, eat your heart out...

God only knows how he managed it, but Kinboshi proposed and Lyndsey said YES! 

wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

Mega congratulations to the pair of ya and about damn time too. 

For a while we weren't sure what to make of Fib.  He really was as thick as they come.  Can't say that he's suddenly acquired the intelligence gene, but he's grown on us and we adore his silly ways now.  Apart from his ability to take over 2/3 of our super king size bed.  Not so keen on that.  I don't know how he manages it, but the lil shit sure can stretch!  After a restless night of sleep and just about the time I'm ready to strangle him in the morning, he turns up with his party piece...

Couldn't resist a red dog eh?

Now that ya mention it...

And here's a more recent action shot...

So we got Archie on St. Paddy's Day of last year.  We joined the local morning dog walking group, his house training was coming along grand and he even came when called...occasionally.  He was four months old last time I posted.  

During the summer I got a mad fit and decided Archie needed a pal.  He was having so much fun with other dogs at the park and I just felt like he was maybe a bit bored sometimes at home.  Didn't take much to convince Jack and we were on the hunt.  

One catch.  Jack wanted another black lab and I wanted something different.  Not a chocolate  lab because I've never met one that wasn't absolutely tapped in the head.  Yellow is grand, but they're a bit loopy.  Marley springs to mind.  During the puppy hunt, I got my head set on a 'fox red' coloured lab.  Had no idea just how hard it would be to find one!  But we got there in the end.  Meet Fib...

Interaction kind of fizzled out last time, so don't be shy FFS!  Ask away, comment away, you name it...hit me with it and we might have some fun along the way. 

What's for pudding?

You already had your pudding!  Besides, some of us are on a diet, ya know.  xx

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

New diary!

Well, more like ...resurrected diary.  lol  

Not sure WTF happened to all the pics I'd posted.  Still have the same photobucket account and haven't changed anything that I'm aware of, so that kinda bites.  Will make sure future posts don't rely on pb though.

Oh.  Hell.  No.

But best of luck to ya!  x

Last post - May 11, 2012?!  Blimey, it's been a while.

Pleno reminded me of this thread today and I was just having a read through some of the earlier pages.  I've been giggling at some of it and now the boys are looking at me like I'm nuts.  Amazing how time flies, but some things never change.   

That said, so much HAS changed since last year.  I finally managed the divorce, then got engaged and now we're planning a move to America.  My three kids all get along well with Jack.  Even Sinéad    They're doing great in school and uni and talking about joining us in America once they're finished getting their degrees. 

Most people already know this, but we also got a second dog.  Fib's his name and he and Archie are great friends.  All in all, a very good 18 months with plenty to smile about. 

We've lots going on over the next 8 - 10 months and it'd be nice to keep some sort of record of it as we go.  Interaction kind of fizzled out last time, so don't be shy FFS!  Ask away, comment away, you name it...hit me with it and we might have some fun along the way. 

Tighty, how the heck did you take that picture?

   Took me a sec...

Hi Laxie,

Have you seen this thread?

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=61457.msg1857999#msg1857999

I hardly ever yapped, even when I yapped. 

Been a bit busy lately and not really kept up with things around the place.  Went to Ireland to visit Sarah and finalise the divorce last week.  Landed back here to find Jack down on one knee formally proposing!!!  First time I've ever had a formal 'down on one knee' proposal and I was like a giddy school girl after it.  Full steam ahead now on our move to America and wedding once we get there!  wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

In the meantime, I need to get a wedding dress, but there's an issue with size.  I'm too damn big.  lol  I've been doing the Couch to 5k programme since mid-September and Jack has run along with me.  Motivation and all that.  I reckon he's gone with because he was sure I'd be quiet while I'm running.  Too busy trying to breathe. 

Anyway, getting there and only a couple of weeks away from running my first 5k.  Now then, if the weight would just hurry and go, I'd be able to get shopping for that dress.  No pressure.

How exciting.

The whole story would make a great film script, and I love a happy ending.

Please let me be the first to congratulate you.

xx


PS- I know Pleno congratulated you already, but he doesn't count.

I won't be drawn into squabbles and take the light off somebody who deserves it. You should Wally continue your blog Laxie, we re al,out polar opposite but I loved reading it whenever you posted. Also interested how the dogs will be transported to the states.

We'd great plans for getting the dogs to America.  The Queen Mary 2 has six kennels on board and we figured we'd make a wee 'holiday' of our trip to America by taking the week long transatlantic cruise. 

Turns out they'd each need two kennels and we'd be charged accordingly.  GG $1,400...EACH!  Costs more than the fecking humans on the ship!  Sigh.  No worries.  Once in a lifetime opportunity.  Suck it up and book the kennels. 

Apparently, that's a popular train of thought.  Kennels for all of 2013 - 2014 are fully booked and 2015 isn't open for bookings until next spring!  There goes that idea then.   

We're obviously still taking them with us.  Just had to go with plan B for the 'how' of it.

Can you not sell the dogs and buy new ones when you get there?

   Of course, but there's zero to sweet feck all chance we'd actually do that.  

After much research, we found a pet transport company we're really happy with.  We like their set up and they have excellent reviews.  The boys will be flying instead of cruising and will be looked after from door to door.  Sorted.

All going well, we all fly out on same day/flight.  In America, they'll be delayed with customs vet checks for a bit so won't make our connecting flight.  Instead, they'll get an overnight stay in New York and fly to us the following morning.  All for the bargain price of £1,200 each.  At the rate we're going, we'll need every penny of the equity in this house...just for the move!  

Hi Laxie,

Have you seen this thread?

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=61457.msg1857999#msg1857999

I hardly ever yapped, even when I yapped. 

Been a bit busy lately and not really kept up with things around the place.  Went to Ireland to visit Sarah and finalise the divorce last week.  Landed back here to find Jack down on one knee formally proposing!!!  First time I've ever had a formal 'down on one knee' proposal and I was like a giddy school girl after it.  Full steam ahead now on our move to America and wedding once we get there!  wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

In the meantime, I need to get a wedding dress, but there's an issue with size.  I'm too damn big.  lol  I've been doing the Couch to 5k programme since mid-September and Jack has run along with me.  Motivation and all that.  I reckon he's gone with because he was sure I'd be quiet while I'm running.  Too busy trying to breathe. 

Anyway, getting there and only a couple of weeks away from running my first 5k.  Now then, if the weight would just hurry and go, I'd be able to get shopping for that dress.  No pressure.

How exciting.

The whole story would make a great film script, and I love a happy ending.

Please let me be the first to congratulate you.

xx


PS- I know Pleno congratulated you already, but he doesn't count.

I won't be drawn into squabbles and take the light off somebody who deserves it. You should Wally continue your blog Laxie, we re al,out polar opposite but I loved reading it whenever you posted. Also interested how the dogs will be transported to the states.

We'd great plans for getting the dogs to America.  The Queen Mary 2 has six kennels on board and we figured we'd make a wee 'holiday' of our trip to America by taking the week long transatlantic cruise. 

Turns out they'd each need two kennels and we'd be charged accordingly.  GG $1,400...EACH!  Costs more than the fecking humans on the ship!  Sigh.  No worries.  Once in a lifetime opportunity.  Suck it up and book the kennels. 

Apparently, that's a popular train of thought.  Kennels for all of 2013 - 2014 are fully booked and 2015 isn't open for bookings until next spring!  There goes that idea then.   

We're obviously still taking them with us.  Just had to go with plan B for the 'how' of it.