Merry Christmas and All the Best Wishes for 2012

I've been very negligent on posting anything for the past few months. I have just been so busy re-starting my American life. On October 11 I shipped my little ball of fur, better known as Flanagan, to Seattle. It was a tearful farewell because I knew she was so very frightened. She hates the kennel and had to be trapped in one for 18 hours. At 6:00am, I bid her adieu at Shannon Airport. I'd planned to go down to Dingle to purchase a gift for Amy but I was so concerned about the pup, that I just headed back to Galway. I kept thinking about the morning she was to be spade but threw up due to fear of the kennel... I was afraid they'd call from the airport and say they couldn't ship her because she was sick. So, back to Galway and a long wait. At 9:00am, I knew she was in the air so I could relax. 7 hours later I checked the tracking and found she was in Newark but connected to an incorrect flight...an overnight in Newark. NOT!! I called and immediately got that changed so she could continue her journey the same day to meet Alex in the evening. She was fine, is happy here, loves the cat (not sure it's mutual!!) and all the birds and squirrels in the yard. She has had to learn to walk on a lead at all times (she's a country dog, not a city pooch!!) but I've found 2 dog parks where she can play off-lead. All is good. I returned to Seattle on October 23. Since then I've been to Missoula, checked out my house and confirmed that the renter wants to stay through the winter, bought a new car, rented a small cabin on Whitefish Lake for the winter and will move there on January 3. I'm really looking forward to time in the snow, walking with my pup, learning a new area, playing my flute in the community band, joining the camera club, helping at Amy's school and just exploring the area. When my house in Missoula is vacant in the summer, I'll return, paint, clean it out and re-rent it for another year. I have a return ticket to Ireland for late August, but time will tell whether I do it or not. I'm not finished with my vagabond lifestyle, but don't know where the next adventure will take me. For now, I'm happy to be with the kids. This is the first Christmas I'll share with all 3 of them since 2008.

I wish each of you who read this a happy holiday season and may 2012 bring you peace and happiness. Every day is a gift, enjoy each one!!