So - This weekend we had grand plans... Usually when we have grand plans for a weekend I'm disappointed on Sunday night when I realise I didn't get as much done as I'd hoped. This weekend was the exception!
On Friday we went to visit Cory's Grandmother at the rest home. It was her birthday, so we wanted to spend some time with her. We went for dinner with Cory's parents after and came back to see Paula before heading home. Right before we left I asked her if she's had a terrible birthday and she replied "It could have been worse!". Her response sparked in me - she was going through so much and times were very hard for her but she still managed to give me a positive response.
We headed home & hit the hay early - we had a big day planned.
First thing Saturday morning we went to the farm to pick up the 'little tractor'. It would save us (well, mainly Cory) a lot of backache rotertilling the garden with the little tiller, and our neighbours John & Janet had a truck load of compost delivered so we'd promised to help them distribute it around their garden. It would save their backs from having to move it all by wheelbarrow - and would save them a ton of time too!
So, we got busy, rotertilling the 'lawn' and moving compost... we were busy all day - even the tractor was tired by the time we were done.
We got together with J&J for dinner and by 8.15pm all of us were yawning and aching. It was time for us to get an early night.
Sunday morning came quickly, and I was on 'duty' for the projection. We headed out the door, stopped at Dutch Bros for a much needed morning kick and got started at Church. The service was really good - the music was sounding great and the choice of songs was fab. The sermon as always was clear and hit home...
After we got wrapped up at church we needed to go grab a few bits & bobs around town, and we grabbed a quick bite to eat too. We couldn't find the fescue seed we had wanted to plant the lawn. Bummer... we'd have to think this one through a little better.
We worked on the garden for a couple more hours, planted a whole new flower bed and Cory smoothed out the area he had rotertilled the day before. It was still looking like we had mud for a yard, but it was a step closer!
We dropped the tractor back home and went to the farm to help Cory's Mom with a few computer and iPhone things. We had dinner there and about 8.30pm hit the road for home. Another night getting home later than we'd hoped... Oh well!
This morning I'm meant to head to Dallas for a blood test to check my thyroid levels. I didn't sleep well and feel drained... I should drink a ton of water before I hit the road, hopefully that will help them get some blood this time... Ewwww
We just love the beaches close by to where our apartment was located - they are stunning!
Cory with 'flat island' behind him.
Cory checking out the coral at Lanakai.
A short drive from our apartment was a 'secret' little beach, and I'm not going to spill it's location here either. It was told to us by a 'local' after I asked him where the best spot to see turtles would be. He said that spot wouldn't disappoint us. Well, it didn't. It was amazing. The experience of a lifetime.
We went to the little beach, and the tide was about half way out. We had our snorkeling gear with us, but we wanted to see what was there before we kitted up. Cory waded out into the shallow water first, and after just a few moments he came quickly back to me and said he'd seen a turtle. He brought me back out to where he had seen it, and we were only up to mid-calf in water. After a short moment I saw one, then another, and another... and so they kept coming along. We must have seen about 20-30 turtles in that short amount of time. It was amazing. At one point there was three turtles about a foot (at most 1.5 feet) from us. Just chillin, eating some lunch. They clearly knew we were there, and at one point I exclaimed too loudly "Cory, look!" and the big guy backed off for a few minutes. But they weren't too nervous about us if we kept quiet and still and didn't advance on them.
I will never forget that moment.
I think turtles are wonderful and amazing creatures and I am excited for the opportunity to see them again sometime.
I will definitely return to our 'secret' beach to watch them again if the opportunity comes up.
There's three turtles together in this last photo - I wish you could see them better.
I only had my little point & shoot camera with me at the time and it didn't do as good a job of capturing the turtles in the shallow water as my other camera would have.
I was extremely excited to have Mark visiting with us. Cory hadn't met Mark yet, so I was excited for that too... I was determined that he would have a fun trip and that we would cram as much into the few days he was here as possible... Oh boy! We sure crammed in a lot!
I didn't really know if I was going to be able to cope with being "on the go" all the time, but I was sure going to give it my best shot!
On Thursday, after the big ordeal getting here we decided to have an easy night. Cory went to work when we got back to Mac and Mark and I just took it easy. In the evening we had dinner a few drinks and chilled out.
On Friday we had a birthday party to go to at a friends house, so we didn't do too much during the day. I showed Mark around McMinnville and we went to a few shops. We dragged him along to my Dr's appointment too (I'll post about that separately) and then came home and got ready for the party. As I was waxing and scraping my snowboard the "boys" started on the drinks... Oh boy! Then we headed to Dave & Heathers place... Heather was turning the BIG 30!
We had a really fun evening, and although we bailed before 10.15pm and before bowling we were beat. Even Mark was ready to hit the hay (even though he didn't want to admit it). He'd had at least 11 shots of varying sizes and concoctions, plus about 6 beers... Ewwwww. No wonder he fell asleep on the sofa! Cory tried to wake him, but there was no budging him... So, we left the light on to his room and hoped he would find his way there when he got cold or uncomfortable.
He did!
In the morning we got up and started getting things ready for the trip to Mt Hood! Mark was a little dizzy, so was trying to get re-hydrated, and Cory cooked a yummy breakfast to keep us going til our late lunch in Sandy.
With the truck loaded, we hit the road! Snowboarding was such a lot of fun! I didn't really have enough energy or stamina to do as much as I had wanted to, but I still had a blast. At the end I had to sit out in the café and let the boys do the last few runs by themselves. They were having fun, and I didn't want to overdo it and turn to mush for the rest of Mark's vacation. Mark did really well on the snowboard for it only being his second time ever... I realised that I am not as much of a daredevil as I used to be and that I would much rather take things in my stride!
When the "boys" came back to me after their last run they were both laughing so hard. It took a few mins and a few attempts to get the story out of them Apparently Mark had gotten tired and the last run had really stretched him. He did several awesome wipe-outs, including one really hard face plant, and one somersault come cartwheel where he landed hard and his board was upright in the snow! Mark was a little sore, but they'd had fun... and best of all, there was no serious injuries!
We left the mountain at 8pm and were home a little after 10 - that was good going!
On Sunday we got up and going again - this time we headed west to the beach! We started at Pacific City, one of my very favourite beaches. On the road to PC we stopped at Irish Road... We always give a little chuckle as we pass by, but this time we jumped out so Mark & I could have our photo taken!
At PC we climbed up to the punchbowl and then the boys decided to climb up to the top of the sand dune! There was no way I would be able to do that, esp after snowboarding the day before... I decided to walk back down and let them do it themselves! They had fun, and ran the whole way down the dune!
We walked back to the Pelican and grabbed some drinks and onion rings to warm us up... then we headed to Lincoln City, and to the outlet malls!
Man, there was some good deals at the outlet malls... GAP had some crazy sales, and then on top of that there was an additional 40% off the lowest ticketed price! I grabbed a few tank tops... each for less than $2! Cory and Mark both grabbed some awesome deals on jeans, and Mark got some shirts too ... with the exchange rate he got a superb bargain!
After that we were starting to slow down and get tired, so we headed back to Mac. We grabbed some pizza's on the way and went round to Dave & Heather's for a few, then back home and hit the sack again!
Monday and Tuesday in the daytime were fairly quiet. Mark and I just chilled around here, did some shopping and took it easy. On Monday afternoon we packed our warm rain gear into the truck and went and grabbed Cory from work to head up to the farm! Cory gave Mark a quick lesson on shooting a shotgun - he did really well! We threw some skeets (video below) and once all the shells were done we jumped on the four-wheelers and headed up into the trails around the farm!
I was on the back of Cory's and Mark had his own four-wheeler, and we went through the grounds and area where Cory grew up. It was such a lot of fun, and it was a nice relaxing evening! I'm pretty sure Mark had a lot of fun too, there was a big smile on his face as he was revving the four-wheeler through little streams and racing across fields! We had some dinner with Cory's parents and then headed back home... it seemed like we had spend the whole time on the go, and a lot of time in the truck!
On Mark's last evening we took it easy... I made spaghetti for dinner and we had that, a few drinks and watched a couple of episodes of Dexter. By 8.30pm we were all considering going to bed, but we managed to wait til 9.30pm... The alarm would be going off soon... real soon!
At 4am the alarm made it's terrible noise and I knew it was time to get up! Ugh!
We got the truck packed and on the road on time and with just a quick stop at Dutch Brothers for a caffeine fix we headed directly to the airport! I was so sad to see Mark go. We thoroughly enjoyed having him here, and the week had gone so quickly.
Thankfully, his flight left Portland without delay, and the connecting flight also left Newark on time... the flight home had no glitches! I was glad for that!
With January firmly under our belts I thought it was about time I took a few minutes to blog... I am really going to try and be more consistent this year about blogging, but I can't make any guarantees...
My nephew Mark arrived from Ireland last week to visit with us and we had a GREAT time together. His flights were on Wednesday from Dublin, via London and then Vancouver BC before getting here to Portland. Well, he didn't really get off to a good start. The UK received a right royal dumping of snow the night before his flights and all that morning, and London Heathrow were not prepared (shock horror!)! They had all the passengers strapped into their seats before they realised that they didn't have a deicing machine available... so, they went and found one of those (it took them hours) and then once they got it they realised they didn't have any deicer! WHAT!?!?!? So, about FIVE hours late, while everyone is still strapped into their seats they finally managed to get ready for take off.
Needless to say, Mark missed his connecting flight in Vancouver. They had transferred him to the last flight out of there that evening, but he missed that one too... it was to take off at 8.30pm and his flight didn't land until 8.20pm.... He had to spend the night in a hotel - but at least it wasn't a night at the airport...
We had gone up to Portland to pick him up, and had heard of the delay, but we still thought he would be able to make the connecting flight in Vancouver. So, we did some shopping and had a bite to eat while we waited... At 9.15pm once Mark had gotten through security and found out what was happening he called to say he wouldn't be arriving til the morning... Boooo
We were going to go and stay at Cory's brothers in Tualatin which would have meant a lot less driving and a lot more sleep, but it wasn't to be. I didn't have the pills I needed to take that evening or first thing in the morning... so we headed home and went straight to bed.
The following morning we got up and headed to Portland. His flight was due at 9.50am, so in order to miss the rush hour traffic we left a 7.45am. A little early, yes, but it would be miles better than sitting in traffic. I had the weird sensation of Déjà vu...
As we were driving I received a text message from Mark saying there was a delay. A sensor on the plane wasn't functioning correctly so they were going to try and fix it! Oh boy!
Well, they couldn't get it fixed, so instead they got a new plane.... a little, bitty twin-prop! Yikes!
We parked in the cell phone waiting zone at the airport and waited... and waited! Finally his flight had landed... 90 mins late, but it was here.
So we headed over to the airport and met him, grabbed his bags and got back on the road... headed for Mac... after 36 hours of travelling he was here... finally!
When I was a child I was always allowed to choose a gift to open on Christmas Eve. So, Cory and I have decided that we will continue this same tradition in our house too.
On Christmas Eve we went to visit with some good friends of ours. It was really a fun time, talking with them and laughing about silly things. They're really special people and fun to be around.
When we came home we opened our Christmas Eve gifts and it was late (and we're old, I guess) so we went to bed!
This year we decided that we would have a relaxing Christmas morning, instead of rushing round trying to get here, there and everywhere on time.
We hadn't set an alarm for the morning, and when I first woke it was still really dark outside, so I looked at my watch - it was only 6.15am! Too early to wake up Cory. So, I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't. At 7.15 I nudged Cory to test how sleepy he was and said "Merry Christmas!" He replied, "Merry Christmas" but he was still sleepy.... At 7.45 I couldn't wait any longer. I nudged him and said "It's Christmas, we have to get up!"
I have always loved Christmas, and the magic feeling it brings. It isn't about the presents but it's just a really special time of year... Don't get me wrong, the presents and the food are nice, but they're more a bonus... the cherry on top!
So, we settled into the couch and started opening our stocking gifts and it was really a fun and relaxing way to start the day!
Then we opened our gifts from each other. We had set a budget this year, and I'd spent it all on his main gift so I was excited to see if I'd chosen the right gift for Cory. I had, and he was really excited... and I was glad! I'd got him a North Face jacket, and not only did I not really know if it was the right style, but the sizing was a little weird too. I bought the size he usually gets in NF stuff but it looked huge when it arrived... It was perfect though and I was happy! It would have been terrible if he only had one main gift to open and it wasn't the right thing! *Phew!
Cory did really good on my gifts too. He got me an awesome Brown Betty teapot which I adore and use all the time, and he also got me a beautifully framed photo from our wedding. It's a 20x30 and we put it up on the huge blank space in our bedroom, and it's more than perfect! He also got me some craft stuff and things from home. He's a real diamond geezer!
After opening gifts we called my Mum and Dad back home. It was great to talk to them and the boys too. Alfie said it "was the best Christmas ever, he got everything he had ever wanted". He's a sweet, sentimental little boy and even though he was sick with the swine flu he was having a fun time. Morgan was just so excited about everything, and it was great to hear the excitement in his voice as he explained about the gifts he'd got and asked if Santa had made it to our place.
Morgan was a little worried that Santa might not remember where we were, so he left a note out with the cookies and milk telling him not to forget about Me, Cory & Tittr here in Oregon. He's a real fun little guy, and looks out for his Auntie Mary!
After talking to them and calling some other family back home we made a yummy breakfast and got ready! It was nice to not be rushing around like a headless chicken!
Once we were ready we loaded the gifts up into the truck and headed to Cory's parents place. We were going to exchange gifts there and have dinner with them.
The afternoon was lovely. Genie did a great job with dinner and it was a really fun time had by all. It was also Cory's Grampa's 80th birthday on Christmas Day, so we sang "Happy Birthday" to him and Jesus and we had birthday cake from his party!
It had been a long but very fun and memorable day... we headed home and put our feet up for the rest of the evening!
Here's a few photos for ya:
Cory helping his Grandmother open her gifts
Last year I introduced the Christmas Crackers tradition and this year we even got everyone to wear their crowns! ;)
Yep - it's a crazy person infront of a pretty Christmas tree!
So, I guess I should firstly say that I am not a ‘regular’ at writing these update letters… So I am hoping to keep it short and sweet (a bit like me I guess – hahahaha)!
Anyway, 2009 has been quite the year for us. For those of you who live on the moon and don’t yet know - I have immigrated to the USA! Yes, I am now living in beautiful Oregon! The process was fairly stressful and very lengthy, but it was very worth it, and I am now the proud holder of a Green Card.
I’ve been here for 12 months now, and will say that all-in-all, it’s one of the most wonderful places to live. It is beautiful all year round and we are excited for the snowing to start here in a couple of weeks (or days from the forecast I heard this morning) – the snow is hard work, but it’s such fun!
I do miss my family & friends from home though, and am trying to be good at keeping in touch… and we are VERY excited for our trip in the spring and will try and see as many of you as possible!
The other big news from us is that we got married! Yes, that’s the reason I am no longer little Friel – I’m ‘Fast’ now!
Our wedding was just about as perfect as it could be. My Mum & two nephews came from the UK, we had friends travel from the UK, Finland and all over the US to be with us. We have so many special memories from that day – a big thanks to all of you who made it SO special – and yes, that includes those of you who were in on the ‘Bandit’ plan to kidnap me from the wedding reception!
Other than immigrating and getting married, the main thing going on with us is unfortunately my health. A few days before the wedding after several tests and Doctors visits I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. GD is an auto immune illness and basically, it causes my immune system to attack the thyroid. I was having fairly intense symptoms and was put on medication to help with those while I waited to see the Endocrinologist. Back then, I don’t think we really knew what an uphill struggle we were in for.
A few weeks after my diagnosis, Cory and I went to the hospital to receive my radiation treatment. It was a scary time, but for us it was a step in the right direction. A step to getting better and we were in the struggle together. Once my thyroid started to die off it went very quickly… It seems like it should have been on a gentle downward slope, but instead it took a sky dive and that is not fun to experience. I quickly fell into being hypothyroid (under active thyroid function) as well as having Graves Disease.Oh what fun!
We hadn’t been warned what a journey it would be (I think my Dr was surprised that I crashed so hard & fast too), so every day we were learning. In fact, I’d say we are still learning. I am now taking synthetic thyroid replacement medication, but we still have a few months of my thyroid dying and getting regulated to deal with before I’ll be standing on my own two feet.
Anyway, I know it’s easy to moan about being ill, and to say what a horrible time it’s been, and it really has, but I’d also like to say that it’s been quite an incredible journey too. Cory and I as newlyweds have had to really be strong together, and he has been just wonderful. He has taken care of me when all I was able to do was be a grump and stay on the couch. He has seen me through the good days and bad, and has helped me keep pushing on, keep fighting, and keep looking forward to the day when I have my energy back, and have this illness firmly under my thumb. I am so thankful for a husband that is my best friend, my soul mate and my life partner. That is more than I could have ever wished or hoped for.
We also attend a great church here in McMinnville, and that has been such a blessing to us. The pastor, Charlie, has such a gift as a speaker and is captivating to listen to. This whole summer every single sermon that he has preached has felt like it was specifically focused on us and our situation. God knew what we needed to hear, when we needed encouragement, when we needed direction and when we just needed to rest in His awesome power. He has carried us both through this hard time, and is still doing so today.
We are looking forward to the New Year, and all the new challenges it will bring along. We’re also looking forward to our trip ‘back home’, to seeing dear family and friends, and to hopefully having restored health.Wishing you all a wonderful 2010, filled with joy, happiness and laughter!
So, Cory and I are excited, bcause tonight we get to go pick up Andrew and Adison from the airport. They're arriving from NC for three weeks over the holiday season.
We just heard a couple of hours ago that one of their connecting flights was cancelled, so they had to switch to a different flight, but the good thing (I think) is that their flight now arrives at 7pm instead of 11.30pm - at least we'll get back here to Mac at a reasonable time!
It'll be good to see them both, we don't get to see them often enough :)
That's all for now, time to go and bake some yummy cookies....
We were so excited to have Alex and Tara come up from Salt Lake for a long weekend...
They arrived on the Thursday, so we decided to go to the Horse Brass English Pub in Portland on the way back from the airport for some dinner and drinks! I was so excited to see English beers... Weird I know, but it's crazy how different things here are... I ordered a glass of Blackthorn Cider... Classy I know! ;)
Jeff came and meet up with us for a drink... it was nice to finally meet him, and to see everyone together again.
Since it was Tara's first time here in Oregon, Alex wanted to show her Linfield college, and we had also planned to go on some cool wine tastings... The rest of the day we chilled, and played board games in the evening...
We headed to the beach on Saturday morning - Jeff and Janelle joined us too..... Firstly and importantly we had to make a stop at Kiyllos for Alex... He loves that place, so we timed it right for lunch! ;)
After that we headed to PC to the beach house we had rented... It was awesome, and perfectly located just slightly north of the dune with private beach access!
After settling in, someone (I don't remember who) had the bright idea of climbing the dune! Well, it sounded like a good idea to all of us, so we headed out (leaving Janelle behind to study).
Very shortly I realised that there was no way in the world I was going to make it up the dune... But, instead of being a spoilt sport, I kept trying... chugging along at the back over the first two little dunes.
As I approached the main dune I was feeling light headed and out of breath, my thighs were burning and I just didn't know what was going on. I had never had a problem doing things like this before. Cory came and tried to help me get all the way to the top, but there was no way, and I eventually had to stop and sit down while the rest of the group carried on to the top! I was defeated and extremely annoyed with myself.
Even on the way back to the house I was struggling to climb back over the two little dunes and I felt embarrassed. Little did I know, but it should have been a sign that something was going on with my health... Again the graves disease tried to get our attention, but we ignored it!
Saturday evening we had a great night, playing board games, chillin' in the hot tub and enjoying the group of friends... oh, and Jeff made meatball grinders... they were really good, but I had never been served such a lot of meat (and only meat) in one meal!
Well, the weekend had flown by and Alex & Tara were to leave on Sunday afternoon... We decided to drive up the coast and see some sights before their flight... it was a great afternoon, we saw Cape Meares and the light house.... Then we headed to the grand lodge for lunch before saying goodbye!It was a great weekend... It was nice to meet Alex, who had been one of Cory's closest friends since college. Tara is awesome too - they're great friends to have and fun people to hang out with!
Little did we know we'd see them in Oregon again in a couple months... ;)
I grew up in London, the youngest child of seven in a crazy Irish Family. I am now living in Oregon on the West Coast of the USA with my husband, Cory and we're living life to the fullest.
I love spending time with family and friends, and just wish that some of them didn't live so far away.
I love to do all sorts of activities, including snowboarding, walking, photography, cardmaking, crafts, sewing etc and I love to write. For years now I have had the dream to write a book, and I keep getting the encouraging nudge from friends, but I am yet to take the plunge and do so.
My favourite place to be is the beach, any beach, and really in any weather... and I want to see as much of the world as possible.
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