Category Archives: Addyson May

We’re Still Lagging Hodgepodge

Jet Lag ~ Jet lag is caused by a mismatch between a person’s normal daily rhythms and a new time zone. It is a temporary sleep problem that usually occurs when you travel across more than three time zones but can affect anyone who travels across multiple time zones. Jet lag can affect your mood, your ability to concentrate, and your physical and mental performance.

It’s time again for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce From This Side of the Pond for the questions!

1. What’s something that scares you? 

Snakes, wild animals and stupid drivers.

2. Do you care where the food you eat comes from? To what degree? 

I prefer local food especially when it comes to produce and fresh fruit. I want meat from U.S. ranchers. I prefer food canned and bottled and packaged that comes from the USA or Canada. Mexico is fine for certain products that we enjoy, too. I am not obsessive about it. I pray over the food I eat and ask God to protect me from evil. 🙂

3. What’s something you wish you’d spent more time doing when you were younger? 

Memorizing more Bible Verses while my brain was sharp!

4. Let’s play autumn this or that….

Pumpkin spice or apple cider? Fresh pressed Apple Cider, please.

Corn maze or haunted house? Hands down…Corn Maze. We have an amazing Corn Maze in our town that we try to conquer every year.

Horror film or Hallmark movie? Hallmark Movie that is part of the Murder Mystery side of things.

Blanket or sweatshirt? Out and about, a sweatshirt. Inside on the couch, a blanket.

Watch football or watch the World Series? College Football but really and truly Futbol (Soccer) and especially English Premier League games and the Seattle Sounders MLS are my favorite games to watch.

Foliage-red, yellow or orange? This is hard but since I have to pick I’ll go with orange.

5. This time last year where were you and what were you doing? 

We were at the Marcus Cider Fest last year at this time and this Saturday we will be at the Marcus Cider Fest again. Our kids entered their  vintage Ford Thunderbird in the car show part of the Fest. There is a parade and booths and fresh apple goodies galore including fresh pressed apple cider.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We are still recovering from Jet Lag from our trip to Dublin and England. We arrived home on September 27th. Jet Lag is real and especially for us older folk. We will live with the lag since we love traveling to that part of the world. We finally were able to hug our grands after three whole weeks apart. Our Colville kids came for lunch on Tuesday (yesterday). It was so good to have a meal with them and spend a couple hours with them. The Grands are growing so fast!

It will be nice to come around and see what all ye Hodgepodgers have been up to.

Dublin ~ Day One

This will be the start of a several post travelogue of our time in Dublin, Northern Ireland and England. There will be many photos to accompany the many posts. You have had your fair warning, dear readers.

The six of us parked and shuttled to the Seattle Tacoma Airport for our check-in and wait for our flight on Aer Lingus to Dublin on Thursday evening September 14th. The security line was especially long but we were at our gate with time to spare.

After arriving in Dublin on Friday September 15th, these two split off from us and headed to the train station that would take them to Galway for the start of their Wild West and North Ireland 6 day tour.

The other four of us waited in the taxi queue for our ride into Dublin to our hotel for 3 nights. Edward, our taxi driver, shared a lot of things with us and suggested we try The Celt for a meal before we turned in for the night.

The main section of the Pub was full and hopping but there was room in the back room for us.

Slainte! Our first Guinness in the land of Guinness.

We all enjoyed our meal choices, too.

From the The Celt we made our way to O’Connell street and walked down to the bridge to view the river. We snapped a few photos of our first views in Dublin.

 Sir John Gray (1815-75),  honours his efforts to bring a water supply to Dublin in 1868. 

O’Connell Monument

Freestanding commemorative bronze monument, commissioned by Dublin Corporation, conceived 1866 by John Henry Foley and completed 1883 by Thomas Brock. Located at southern entrance to O’Connell Street comprising numerous bronze figures on large granite plinth surmounted by bronze figure of Daniel O’Connell (1775-1847). Tall bronze cloaked figure of O’Connell standing on tall cylindrical pedestal, encircled below by bronze frieze of people of Ireland in high-relief, having nearly thirty figures symbolizing church, professions, arts, trades and peasantry. Central figure of Erin trampling upon chains, points upwards and holds 1829 Act of Catholic Emancipation in her left hand. Larger limestone-clad drum sits on square granite base, at angles of which are seated four winged victories, grandly scaled bronze figures representing Patriotism, Courage, Eloquence and Fidelity. Evidence of bullet holes on arms and breasts of two victories, legacy of unrest in 1916-22.

The River Liffey with the Ha’penny bridge beyond, a landmark 1800’s pedestrian bridge.

The O’Connell Bridge, historic stone and granite road bridge.

Before we turned back to our hotel we made a final stop at Brannigan’s. Another pub that was full to the brim with room for us upstairs! It was a Friday and raining when we arrived to Dublin so I’m assuming more folk were seeking shelter in a cozy pub.

Back to our hotel for hopefully some good sleep before our 7:20am start to our all day tour on Saturday.

While we were all away we enjoyed updates from our Colville kids and Grands. Miss Addy lost another tooth so is in the right position to be singing “All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth!”

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig!

Our outbound flight from Seattle to Dublin on Aer Lingus on September 14th at 6:50 PM arriving in Dublin on Friday September 15th at 11:45 AM. We are sandwiched in our seats by our youngest and our oldest with their wonderful spouses!

Our homebound flight from Dublin to Seattle on Tuesday September 26th at 3:10 PM arriving in Seattle on the same day at 5:05 PM.

We went through customs in Dublin which made things so easy when we arrived in Seattle. We picked up our luggage and shuttled to our cars and got on our familiar roads driving on the comfortable side of road for us. Our vehicle made it’s way to a familiar Mexican restaurant for a comfort meal before arriving at our son’s home for the night. Our daughter and hubby headed straight home to be reunited with their cats!

We basked in the memories of a most wonderfully blessed trip with so many ‘wow’ moments to remember and share. We thank our God for His special care over all of us every day and for now especially the days we enjoyed in Ireland and England.

On Wednesday morning still working on Dublin time Dear and I packed up our vehicle and started on our 5+ hour journey over the mountains and home again home again jiggety jig. When we arrived in Spokane (an hour and a half south from our home) we did our usual ‘petrol’ stop at Costco ($4.55 per gallon not liters). A quick stop in the warehouse store for a few items and on the road again reaching home at 1 pm. Our Colville kids prepared a welcome home meal for us that waited for us upon our arrival. They made Greg’s famous Tomato Rice Soup and Jamie baked an amazing fresh loaf of bread to accompany the soup. Perfect for us to enjoy after our long journey. Thank you to all our kids who made this trip special from beginning to end.

Funny note: I sent the photo of me sitting and enjoying my soup and bread to our kids and our granddaughter asked why we were eating on the couch! Oops, I’ve got a lot of explaining to do. Our Grands are being raised proper.

Now that we are home I’m looking forward to those special hugs from our Grands…soon!!

I’ll need a few days to catch up with Pacific Coast time before I can make my rounds to visit. Happy Autumn to all of you!

Celebration #1

We gathered in Colville with our local family and friends to celebrate Greg on his actual birthday.

Our kids made fish tacos and delicious salsas and guacamole to enjoy. We had bread pudding for dessert.

The ‘Grands’ enjoyed watching Gramps open his gifts.

Requests were sent out to friends and family to send a greeting to Greg and to send those greetings to our kids’ home so they could surprise him with a stack on his birthday. It worked and what a great stack of cards he received from siblings, nieces, nephews, friends and his own kids and grands.

A very special surprise gift from Canada arrived, too.

So thoughtful and generous. Thank you Terry and Lovella!

After we got home and were able to read each card I decided to display them so we could enjoy them all.

We loved the special artwork created by Addy and JJ.

Our sister-in-law, Kelly, is becoming quite the artist, too.

Several verses from the Bible were shared in the cards that Greg received from friends and family near and far.

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 41:10

fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Funny cards and serious cards were all appreciated!

Isaiah 40:31

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
 He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

This next card made both of us laugh out loud!

It was quite a wonderful gift to receive all of these cards and to read the special greetings and memories in each of them. If any of you who sent cards are reading this post, thank you so much for taking time to write and send Greg these encouraging greetings!

We will celebrate with our ‘Coast Kids’ in Ireland!

Goodbye August

Another week of soccer for these two. Because of our smoke filled week a while back, soccer was extended to next week which will make for a very full week with the beginning of Homeschool Co-op and Awana!

Finally… I finished this puzzle which was harder than many with the coloring and the fact that all the pieces were similar!

It was okay that it took so long since our dining table was not in heavy demand in August. It will be cleared off for dinner tonight with our local kids and grands.

Welcome to September which will be a full month for us. Fall ministries are starting up at church. Awana, Women’s Bible Study, Mops, Women’s Retreat and Connection Groups are all happening in September.  Our Grands and their mom will be full speed ahead with Homeschool and Co-op.  A milestone birthday for someone in the family is coming up. We are also gearing up for a trip to a land we’ve never been to before. More details to follow soon.

What does September hold for you?

Time for School!

The 2023-24 school year begins! So grateful for this Mom and our Grands.

And she will start the school year with one less tooth. The first tooth to come out! A second one will probably be ready to pull soon. Praying for God to bless them with knowledge and love of learning and that the learning will draw them closer to God and all He has done for them. Also praying that they will be obedient for their teacher!!

No Wednesday Hodgepodge this week.

Fair Days

On Friday we attended the NE Washington State Fair here in our town.

 

Before we left the fair we enjoyed some ice cream cones.

On Saturday we met up on Main Street for the NE Washington Fair Parade.

The fire department starts the fair off and it is really loud. Our Grands have the best mom and she plans so well and remembered their ear muffs!

The participants in the parade are always stocked up with lots of candy to throw to the children along the parade route.

 

 

The short parade was over in no time and our Grands had a bag full of candy. We walked over to the Saturday Farmer’s market and bought veggies and fruit before heading home for the rest of the day!

 

Early Years of Soccer

The first game of the year was played after being delayed because of our smoke filled skies. Wednesday after our rain on Tuesday made for clear enough air for outdoor activities.

This age is a hoot to watch. The swarming of all the players caused a few trips with certain players landing on the pitch.

Our favorite player managed to stay on her feet.

Since there is not a designated goalie at this age level, the players take turns. She was not impressed with the stinky gloves!

I missed this little guys first game but was happy for the photos his parents sent.

The treats at the end of the game are every players delight!

Speaking of soccer and soccer fans, Josh and Laura are celebrating their 22nd Anniversary today.

Man U 069

Here we are in Manchester, England at the legendary Old Trafford, September 2013. In less than a month we’ll be with them at another stadium in England to watch another Premier League soccer game. Another dream fulfilled, Lord willing.

Happy Anniversary Josh and Laura. We love who you are individually and as a couple. May God increase your joy and love with each other and with Him!

We’ll be at the Fair this afternoon checking out the animals and other treats a small town fair offers. Have a wonderful last weekend in August!

Keepers of the Kingdom ~ VBS

Our annual Vacation Bible School was in the evenings the week of August 7th-11th. All the kids were divided into age groups with lessons appropriate to their age group.

The whole church was decorated to look like a medieval castle.

The lessons were all on The Armor of God from Ephesians 6.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Our daughter-in-law was a helper each night along with over 125 other volunteers and 218 children throughout the 5 evenings. I was the t-shirt sales lady.

Everyone was exhausted after the five night 6:00 – 8:30 fun and games centered around the Word of God. We attended the closing program on Friday night and volunteers stuck around to take down all the VBS decorations. Hats off to all the volunteers! It was an amazing time for our church family to love and serve our community.

Then on Saturday night the 12th of August we met downtown at the Spaghetti factory for a birthday party for our Grands’ Granny.

It was a milestone birthday and we all enjoyed celebrating Linda.

JJ and Addy didn’t last long on the way home from Spokane and had a nice sleep as they were both exhausted from a busy week!

This week has been slow and quiet and uneventful which is a blessing.

Happy Friday everyone. The last couple days we have been socked in with smoke here in our area from fires mostly in Canada. Ash is even settling here. The air quality is not healthy and we have been staying in. Our Grands soccer and other outdoor activities were cancelled this week. We are hoping for improvement soon. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.