The parties continue....

So even after Christmas, we just kept on celebrating!!!  How great is that?!?!  I was so excited to have a fear free, 'covid be damned' get together.  It has been years, and although Pennie and Art couldn't make it from Maine, due to snowmeggeden 2022, we all had a blast.  

The stars of the show were Oma's Great Grandgirls - Harper and Lyla!  It's ever so fun to celebrate the holidays with the littlest among us.  

The Christmas Crackers were awesome!  Thanks Aunt Ruth Ann.

I remember these exhausting days and miss them dearly.  Hold tight Brad, you're a GREAT dad!

and to those I love beyond words......thanks for the party!  

Now that the Christmas celebrations were over, we turned our attention to 2023.

And New Years Day did not disappoint!  I decided to have a New Years Day party, instead of Eve, to shake it up a bit.  I had no idea how the party would go or even if anyone would show up.  I always have this crazy notion.  And after years of isolation, it maybe wasn't so crazy?  The party was in the style of an open house, come when you can and stay as long as you like.  Board games a plenty as well as food.  I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be a great day with lots of friends and family!  I felt like I was on cloud nine the entire day.  And I can't think of a better way to ring in a new year than that.     

It ranged from friends from long ago, to newly forged friendships.

And the dearest family that drove from afar to join and be schooled in Guesstures.  Or was that me getting schooled?  I surely can't remember as I had hostess duties to attend to (convenient eh?).  And a shout out to this group as they have all visited me in Glasgow too.  Now that's COOL!    

So honored to have these lovely ladies in my life.  

And the true core Dublin four!  

My soul sister Stacy!

And my dearest Debbie!  

Sequence was played with seriousness!

And I loved that you were one of the late gamers too Randy!!

Oma's wine from Montana?!?!?  hmmmm..... we had to cut her off!

Guesstures will remain one of my fav games ever, as it is hilarious!

Scott and Karen, you should be in this photo too!!!  I got a bit lazy with photo duties as the night wore on....

Thanks for stopping by Heidi!!!  

To my die-hards, and favorites, my ride or die's, that stay late and hang when I can finally sit down and play.  SOOOOOOO much fun!  

Other fun events I had during our short trip back included some of my favorite people.  I feel like I keep saying that.  And how lucky and blessed I truly am to have so many of these souls in my life!!

The true-ist and blue-ist of them all!  Thx for sticking with me through thick and thin!  Julie and Darcy - you are rare gems!!!   

And to finish it all off, Jackson and I ringing in 2023 in my favorite place at 455 College - in front of the fireplace in the master suite, complete with a roaring fire and s'mores!  

I literally had to leave the country to stop eating all of the sweets surrounding me in Michigan!

A special thanks for the ride to ORD Timbo!  

I hope to see you all this summer!

I think I might just have another party?  

A pool party perhaps?  

Stay tuned....

It's a clean slate - and keltic kitty is here for every bit of it!!!

Happy 2023 everyone!  I wish you all happiness, non-ending joy, and love!

❤️

that's a wrap.....🎁

I wasn't sure how much living you could do in 2 and a half weeks, but I am here to tell you, it is A LOT!  It was a Christmas to remember full of joy, laughter, angst, cleaning, wrapping, opening, board games, deep conversations and miracles!  

The whirlwind included lots of snow, family and friends, visits, fun gifts, a New Year's Day parties and shoveling, TONS of shoveling!  

Lord Levi and his sword!

My favourite Christmas miracle was an impromptu party at Karen and Scott's house.  Since nobody could make it to them on Christmas eve as planned (hello snowmaggedon 2022) they decided to throw a last minute party with neighbors and friends who could walk or easily get there.  What a blast it was with such great people!  I'm not sure who decided this next plan of action, but Karen started calling all of those who were stuck and alone and we sang them a Christmas Carol.  An unasked for, and possibly unwanted, little ditty.  And none of us were too concerned about a good singing voice, as we sang with gusto!  This continued to gain momentum from us home-bound carolers, and we got pretty bossy with the figgy pudding!  The joy and laughter was contagious, and we couldn't help ourselves and our spreading of 'joy.'  I just wish we had them on face time or video, as it was crazy and unexpected and full of hilarity.  I can't think of a better way to spend a last minute Christmas Eve with better people!  

I do have video footage, but can't figure out how to upload it here.  It makes me smile to watch and I've already viewed it multiple times.  

That joy could only be followed up by a wonderful Christmas together with all 5 of us!   Greywing was the star of the show, being the best cat that ever lived!  What a true day of gifts by spending it together.  Jackson schooled us on Rummikub, while Levi did a little studying for his upcoming exams.  The unwrapping of gifts to begin the day.  It was a full day of joy!

I, of course, started the day with shoveling the 4 inches that came over night.  And here is what I really love about Heritage Hill.  As I was out clearing off Scott and Karen's porch and driveway, they immediately opened their door in their Christmas pj's, caroling to me about shoveling vs. figgy pudding, while Reid across the street is yelling for me to stop,  as he will get it with his snowblower.  Everyone fighting to shovel out everyone else - now that's the true meaning of Christmas!  If there is a better neighborhood worldwide, I'd be dubious!  These people are a part of my heart! 

Wealthy Street bakery is in the house - thankful to the pre-planning of Oma!  Deliciouso!

All I can see here is a radiator needing a new paint job!  

Ever the casual and go with the flow kitty.  🙃  Just like me....😂...or not!

Now back to our regular scheduled show (or should I say SNOW)......I must say, the winter wonderland did not disappoint!  Here is Heritage Hill in all of its festive glory!  

And when we finished out the day with a drive around the neighborhoods of yesteryear, we decided to be good samaritans and push out a fellow motorist stuck and in need.  It took a while folks!  

All in all, this Scottish lass was happy and truly fulfilled with the love and joyous Christmas in the States.  But there was much more than just Christmas this past visit, so I am ending this blog with "to be continued...."

Stay tuned for ringing in 2023, as it was just as special and memorable as the above....

with loads of love,

Kristmas 💚❤️ Kitty

PS.  Just sayin'. 

  

Home away from Home away from Home

How lucky I feel to have so many places I can call home.  I've always loved travel and felt the need to explore from a very young age.  

But it is not until I actually lived in another country that I truly felt the immense gratitude to find people and places that truly feel like home.  

So when I learned that my dearest friend Heidi, who lived in Dublin when we did, was going back, I did everything in my power to join her.  Not just because I love being in her presence, but because being in Dublin while she is there is PERFECTION!  

💚 🍀 💚 🍀 💚 🍀 💚 🍀 💚 🍀 💚 🍀 💚 🍀 💚 🍀 💚

Ireland will always hold a special place in my heart.  (as I'm sure it does for Heidi too). One that is beyond words, but feels like a great big hug when I arrive in the heart of the city.  And by heart I mean the South Georgian core, of course.  But really, when I see the Guinness sign when I step off the plane, I know I'm home, even if I don't drink the stuff.  

So once I drop my bag, I'm soon off to visit 44 Fitzwilliam Square.  A place that truly changed my life. 

But really???  WTAF?

We might not be there any longer, but the flowers Oma planted live on!

Next up, 

Grafton Street is a must, and I was lucky to experience it as they were decorating for the holidays.

And as I walk down memory lane I realize it is so bittersweet.  Wishing the kids were this age again.  Wishing life was as easy as it seems looking back.  Wondering how time went so quick to have this have been a few years ago now.  

And although these places bring back the most heartfelt memories, its the people that make the place.  It's all ways the people.  

The Dublin Dames Fiona and Hazel who sustained Oma and I.  Teaching us as much about schools as about how to swear with reckless abandon!  

Some of the best Perrigo mates you could ask for.

Gerry and Jodi who are still there, carrying on as the last standing survivors of the Michiganders who 'immigrated' in 2016.  

Levi and Oma's pigeon man who still holds court near St Stephens Green.  

And Ursula, a Texan, who is now a real Irish citizen.  I'm green with envy!

BUT,,,

It must be said that.......

I love Glasgow.  The places I've been and the Scottish countryside that makes my jaw drop every time I experience it.  And the people - "The People Make Glasgow!"  which isn't just their slogan, it's the damn truth.  

And I love Grand Rapids (maybe not in the winter), with the family and friends that fill my soul.  My house that is a massive hug to me when I relive all of the great times there.  It really is the BEST house ever.  Even topping 44 Fitz in my mind.  

But today I feel immense gratitude to my time in Dublin.  To my home there.  My friends there.  To Perrigo there.  To my family there.  Thanks for accepting me and my family you Dubliners.  My heart and life will never be the same again.  Because Dublin is really that special to me.  

And if you'll indulge me, as I stroll back through 2018, my heart is fit to bursting with love for that time and who we all were then.......

Love to you all 

Celtic Kitty