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A View Into My Universe

The older two grandsons, along with their parents, were at the airport EARLY this morning for their flights to the Midwest. When I asked OD if the boys were excited, she responded, “Excited, feral, wild, yes.”

They got to visit the cockpit too which was very cool. (thanks, Delta!) When I sent the photo to John, wondering if he could identify the aircraft, he could only tell me that it was a twin engine Boeing according to the controls. It turned out to be a Boeing 737-900 twin jet, so he maintained his credibility. 🙂

These flowers are from my birthday party on August 16th, believe it not. They still look beautiful! All I’ve had to get rid of were the roses; they never last long. I’ll hate to throw them out before I go on my trip. As for my Ireland decision making, it mostly revolves around the rain and whether it’ll be drenching or drizzly. I have a pretty plum colored raincoat that’s water resistant and another not-so-pretty blue one that’s waterproof. I can’t manage to take both. I have a good idea of what clothes I’m packing although I’m not quite ready to squish them into the suitcase. I’m a roller of pants and shirts for some reason; I’m not sure of the efficiency of that method but it’s what I’m used to.

Obro wanted me to take this photo at his swim lesson with his hair faux hawked. He’s such a character!

My littlest dude is still a bit hairless; luckily, he’s also very cute and charming.

I will so miss seeing my sweeties for the week or so that I’m out of the country. I’m hoping to collect lots of hugs and snuggles on my return!

I doubt that I’ll have the time to post again, so as my late husband used to say instead of goodbye, “I’ll see you down the road.”

Comments

47 responses to “Traveling”

  1. Marie Avatar
    Marie

    Wishing you a wonderful, safe trip with all the clothes and snacks that you need.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks! I’m nervous, but also determined to have a great time!

  2. Tonya Avatar

    Enjoy!! What an adventure it will be!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I’m hoping it’s mostly positive adventures. The long flight is going to be brutal though. Ugh.

  3. Siobhan Avatar
    Siobhan

    Ireland is glorious
    Have the most wonderful time
    Siobhan

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you, Siobhan! It’s going to be such an adventure. I’ve wanted to visit for decades and finally will be doing so!

  4. Pipe Tobacco Avatar
    Pipe Tobacco

    Have a wonderful trip!!!!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, PT! The nerves are really hitting today. I will need to make all my packing decisions, which I’ve been procrastinating on. 🙂

  5. AC Avatar

    I hope you have a great week.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, John! I’m sure it will have its moments–traveling always does. I will try to look at all of it as an adventure.

  6. Lea Avatar
    Lea

    Have a wonderful and interesting time in Ireland Margaret.
    Slainte!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! I’m going to try to embrace everything, even the rain!

  7. Doug M Avatar
    Doug M

    Love the photos of the boys in the cockpit and little Ian is looking pretty dapper. Hope you have a wonderful time, Margaret. 🧡

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I didn’t think they still did that but perhaps on the way out, the boys were allowed to peek into the cockpit. Thanks, Doug! I’m getting very nervous.

  8. sillygirl Avatar

    i can hardly wait to hear all about it!!!!!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I hope it goes well. That’s a LONG time on a plane!

  9. Kaye Avatar
    Kaye

    Wishing you a wonderful trip. I am looking forward to hearing about it and seeing the pictures. The grands will be so happy to see you when you get back!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I will be happy to see them too! The older two will be excited to tell me about their visit to the Midwest.

  10. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Travelling with Rick Steves guarantees a wonderful trip. You’ll have a fantastic adventure exploring Ireland.
    Plus being a Washingtonian, unlike other states, you know about rain. Remember if you need something, you can always make a purchase. Problem solved!
    The boys will miss you but just think about all the love and kisses when everyone is home again.
    Enjoy!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      The relentless rain and the jacket situation (and shoes to a lesser extent) are my main concerns. Would you vote for the not as attractive rubbery raincoat or the pretty water-resistant one? Anders often says to his mom on pick up, “Grandma will be at my house.” When I’m there, his face lights up. Then when it’s getting close to bedtime, he’ll verify that I’m not going home, that I’m staying for a while. I’m hoping that he understands that I’m on a trip and not abandoning him.

      1. Susan Avatar
        Susan

        I’d take whichever coat you like best. If it does not work well for you in Ireland, buy something else. Consider buying whatever the locals are wearing for rainy weather.
        Anders is so sweet. He surely loves you. Maybe YD should mark a calendar showing your departure and return home. Anders is a smart little guy. He’ll count the days, understand and know you will return to him.

    2. Margaret Avatar

      Whatever I buy in Ireland would have to stay there (no room in the carryon) so maybe some kind of cheap poncho if it’s raining hard. I decided on the Marmot three-way, which is actually three coats in one. I can wear the lining zipped in for cold, windy weather or I can wear each one of the parts separately. I’ll wear it on the plane since it’s bulky when joined. The rubbery blue raincoat doesn’t have as much versatility and is not as warm. However, it is waterproof.

  11. Steve Avatar

    Have a great time!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, Steve! Once I get there, it will be fine but I’m agonizing over the packing decisions. (too much!)

  12. Luftmentsch Avatar

    Have a good trip!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! I’m going to start packing in a little while. Not enjoyable!

  13. Matt Shifley Avatar

    We will see you down the road, Margaret.
    Have a wonderful time and enjoy your travels.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Hopefully, so! I’m still procrastinating on packing, but I’m going to get to that in the next half hour. Ideally! 😂

  14. Midwest Mark Avatar

    I didn’t think the airlines still let kids look into the cockpit. That’s great! Did they get plastic wings, too?

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I didn’t think so either. They probably just got to peep in there on their way in or out of the airplane. OD didn’t say.

  15. Betty Renfroe Avatar
    Betty Renfroe

    Have fun on your trip.

    Love the almost Mohawk look the boys have,

    Baby boy is just precious!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, Betty! I will miss blogging and reading my friends’ posts. I can’t do much from my cell phone; it doesn’t remember passwords and websites like my laptop does.

  16. Pixie Avatar

    Bon voyage my friend:)

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Merci! I’m packed but still need to measure my carryon to make sure it complies with the size rules. I didn’t extend it at all but it’s not exactly flat at the top. I’m relatively sure I have all the wrong stuff packed but don’t really care. No one will notice except me. I did decide on my Marmot three way jacket after looking at the “feels like” temperatures in Ireland. The Marmot has two coats that can be worn separately or as one and is very warm when the two are zipped together.

      1. Pixie Avatar

        Sounds like an excellent choice.

  17. ceci Avatar
    ceci

    I’m looking forward to your travel stories when you get home! And yes, I’m surprised too about the cockpit visit – haven’t seen that since early 2001 when I was traveling with my kids and the steward offered during the flight. They were too sophisticated (having done a good bit of flying in their lives) but I jumped at the chance. It was very tiny! I was expecting something like a car with two driver’s seats, so I was surprised!

    Have a lovely time,
    Ceci

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Perhaps they just peeked in when they were coming out or going in. Back in the very olden days, I got a look at a 747 cockpit in flight, which would never be allowed now. There were three pilots in there, and one of them was working on a crossword puzzle.😂 I don’t remember it being a very luxurious area although much bigger than this 737. I’m hoping I have only good stories to share, but there are always some stresses mixed in that I’ll also be writing about, I’m sure. Maybe there will be some “interesting” people on my tour…

  18. JT Twissel Avatar

    Have fun!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      The actual traveling probably won’t be much fun, but that will make the beauty of Ireland even more glorious.

  19. Linda Avatar

    Beautiful photos, dear Margaret! How nice of Delta Airlines to let the children see the cockpit! I hope you have a wonderful and safe trip, dear friend! Thank you so much for sharing.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I was surprised that they got to see in the cockpit because that’s usually a big no-no. Thank you! Eventually, I’ll be able to post photos of Ireland. 🇮🇪

  20. Pam Avatar

    Have a lovely time! I hope the weather isn’t too wet. We could do with lots of rain here!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      It certainly looks wet, but I don’t know what that means. It could be downpours. It could be drizzle. It could be an hour or two of rain and then none? Hopefully I’m covered for everything!

  21. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    Enjoy every moment your tour. It’s hard to go wrong on a Rick Steves tour!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      The Steves’ tours are worth the money!

  22. Ed Avatar

    Safe travels!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks! In an inauspicious start, our first flight is delayed by a half hour.

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