The lassies and lad are in Edinburgh

We're safely arrived and very happy to be here! No, it didn't take quite that long to get here -- we left Monday, today's Saturday -- but it has taken a while to get past the jet lag!

Having a wonderful time here. What an absolutely beautiful city. You simply cannot imagine just how gorgeous it is! The hills, waters, trees, art and architecture are simply stunning. Even the newer developments are fabulous! Cookie cutter, yes, but somehow so different from new developments in Lincoln.

We've visited with John's cousins and have seen his aunt and uncle. It's been just over a year since we last saw them...they're all terribly impressed with Leith...how much she's grown, her gorgeous hair, her cute little American accent! lol I say "What accent?"

Katharine and Michael's kids have grown quite a bit, too. David is 13 and quite impressive. He has wonderful speaking skills and is very polite. It's really nice to talk with him. Zoe is 8 now and she's very taken with Leith. I think Zoe wishes Leith was closer in age so they could play together more, but they have a good time together nonetheless.

I finally feel that I'm getting the hang of this city. The streets can be quite confusing because they curve and bend, and at any given block they may be called something different than the previous block. For example, I wanted to go to Newington Road today. So while we're on the same road, that will ultimately become Newington Road, it went through three or four name changes. So streets can be miles long, but the names are merely a few blocks long.

Currently we're at a Holiday Inn in Edinburgh. We have a magnificent view of the city -- nearly 180 degrees! We can see the castle from here and all the way over to the Firth of Forth. Stunning.

Leith's finally on a schedule that more closely resembles her home schedule. She's been a trouper, but the jet lag has been rough on all of us. I'd imagine that by the time we need to leave, she'll finally be settling in!

k

Annnnnnnd they're OFF!

Off to Scotland, that is! Well, not if I don't get my stuff together...gotta do some laundry and do some packing. We'll have access to laundry facilities, so we don't have to take *everything* but let's face it, we want to be prepared.

We'll be flying in to Edinburgh. I'm hoping the skies will be clear because I love that city and want to see it from the air. We're staying at a B&B called Wester Cowden, in Dalkeith, just outside of Edinburgh, for a few days at the beginning and end of our trip. We stayed there a few times last year and loved it. Huge rooms, a view of Arthur's Seat, lovely modern bathroom and yummy full Scottish breakfasts.

Our plans also include going to Port Patrick. Beautiful place. Aunt Thea and Uncle Tom have a wonderful cottage there, not too far from the sea and the town. Their home is exactly like what you'd imagine a Scottish cottage would be. Lush garden, lots of surrounding farmland, gently rolling hills, and some sounds of the sea. I'll post pictures when we return.

Well, better get packing. There are still a few errands to run, but in less than 24 hours we'll be heading to the airport!

k

Happy Birthday USA!

Ahhhh, the Fourth of July....nothing like the sights, sounds and smells of summer: mowers mowing, grillers grilling, and firecrackers firecrackering.

John, Leith and I went to Omaha last night to the Shakespeare on the Green production of "King Lear" -- great play, good show. L was terrific during the first half but starting at intermission, she became a little more vocal and active. Not terrible, and we were outside. We'd dressed her in leggings and a long-sleeved tee, hoping to keep the mosquitos at bay...it also helped keep her warm. It was a chilly evening (yes, July 3!) I even resorted to pulling a couple of crib-size blankets around my shoulders -- that short sleeve tee just wasn't enough!

When we finally returned to Lincoln last night, we were amazed at the amount of haze around 27th Street, from Randolph down past Garfield! Not to mention the *smell* -- someone had fired off a whole lot of fireworks! Not much breeze meant the smoke, heavy metals and other toxins stayed around for a while. Yuck.

Only three days until we head out for our Family Vacation 2008! So excited!! Three weeks in Scotland, visiting family and friends. We may even fit in a day trip to Ireland (yay!). I'll be posting about our adventures.

k

LNKHandmade Team -- yay etsy!!

Went to the first local etsy team meeting and met several local crafters. We've got the makings of a terrific etsy team, and I'm looking forward to meeting more and getting to know lots of creative people.

Gooooooooo Team!

k