Tale of a babysitter

This week Barry's sister and brother-in-law have been out of town without their two children which means this week Barry and I have been babysitting these lovely children. Well, let me clarify, actually it has been me that has done most of the babysitting since Barry has to work 12 hour shifts at the shop.  Yes, 12 blissful hours of what I'm sure is not nearly as difficult as babysitting a ten and a seven year old.  Don't get me wrong...I'm crazy about the younguns...but, I'm exhausted. 

Even though I feel like I've been hit by a train, it has been fun and also very educational.  Since this is just my second week residing here in Ireland, I'm not quite settled and used to the accents, the appliances (since I've had to *gasp* do some light cooking and washing for the gals), or even the fruit juice that has to be diluted with water before drinking. 

For example, the other day, the oldest one was telling me what she wanted from the chippy (that is a take out restaurant for my American readers).  What I thought she said was "pattered sausages."  So, I asked if this particular place had "pattered sausages."  After laughing at me, I was told she actually said BATTERED sausages.  Oh, okay well that makes more sense.  Still having some trouble with the accent as you can see.

During an after school snack the other day, the girls were eating some fruit and I asked if they wanted some juice since there was a bottle of orange pineapple juice in the fridge.  "Aye" they both said.  So, I went off and poured them two glasses of the juice and gave it to them.  They happily drank the juice.  It wasn't until about FIVE hours later when seeing Barry that they told him and ME that I was supposed to dilute the juice with water.  Hmm...I had no idea.  This is something that is completely different here versus in America.  Most juices have to be diluted before drinking here even though they come in large containers that look like they have already been diluted...very misleading.  Bless their little Irish hearts for drinking the juice even though I'm sure it tasted like pure syrup.  They were afraid of hurting my feelings they said.  Ah well, lesson learned.

Preparing to do my first load of laundry here was also an adventure.  Seeing as how the washing machines are completely different here, I wasn't quite sure where to put the detergent.  After standing in front of the washer and examining it from every angle and after numerous phone calls to Barry with questions, I finally did figure it out.  But, the whole process of loading the clothes in the washer and actually turning it on took a good thirty minutes. 

But, I am slowly coming around.  I still somewhat feel as if I have suffered a head injury and I'm having to relearn everything that was second nature to me, but I feel a little more confidant.  I even offerered to fry the little girls some sausages this morning for breakfast...which I have never done before.  Feeling a little like Mary Poppins or Holly Homemaker, I was quite pleased with the outcome until the oldest one told me I had burned them and she couldn't eat them.  Oh well, another lesson learned. I'm still a Mary Poppins trainee I suppose.

Even though I've struggled to aquaint myself with living here in a few minor ways, the babysitting has also been fun.  Saturday night, we sent the girls on a chocolate Easter egg hunt during commerical breaks of a dating show called Take Me Out.

Monday night, they made Barry look very pretty with a tube of my lipstick.  It was very nice of him to do this...especially since the youngest one has given him the nickname of Mr. Grumpy.  I, on the other hand, have earned the nickname of Mrs. Shiny Diamond.  Mine is sooooo much better than his!

Gawgeous, Dawling!

Then, yesterday, we made T-shirts out of glitter glue and markers to wear to the St. Patrick's Day parade.

I think I have a couple of up and coming artists on my hands, don't ya think?

Tomorrow, we're headed to the town to watch the St. Patrick's Day parade and partake in the activities going on.  Stay tuned...more to come!

0 for 2

The weather finally broke here in Derry.  Since I arrived on March 5th, it has been quite rainy and cold.  We even got a little snow, but most of that white devil stayed in higher elevations as you can see from the photo below.  Thank goodness.  I've had it up to here with snow this year!  We had one of the worst winters in a while in West Virginia and I know Derry did as well.  Thankfully, today was nice and I was able to go for a long walk in the warm sun. 

Pic from a few days ago...snow in the mountains.  This pic was taken from inside a warm house 'cause I ain't goin' out in all that.

Since we are babysitting my sister-in-law's two little girls this week, we are staying outside of town at her house.  So today, while the nieces were at school, I decided I would walk to the hub's shop.  Since his sister's house is a little outside town, I knew it would be a good long walk, and I was willing to take the risk of blisters and foot pain because it was so nice out and I needed some exercise.  Plus, the route I was taking had a few important stops.  One, I needed to stop in to the local Curves to see if they would be interested in having a Zumba in the Circuit class.  Two, I needed to stop back in to the doctor's office to drop off my registration papers. 

So, off I went.  About twenty minutes into my walk, I arrived at Curves.  Wouldn't you know it.  They were closed for their afternoon break which lasts from about 1-3:30pm.  Insert curse word here.  I got there about 1:40pm.  Okay, so the Curves thing didn't quite work out but I still had another stop to make.

About ten minutes later, I arrived at the doctor.  I went to dig into my bag to pull out my registrations papers and Mutha F£$%*&!  I musta forgotten those!  I wanted to cry.  I was 0 for 2. But, I pressed on. 

Another twenty minutes later, I finally arrived at Barry's shop, tired, sweaty and what I'm sure is a blister about the size of a golf ball on my heel. I haven't looked to see how big it actually is yet. But, it was worth it--a little exercise in the sun never hurt anyone even though I didn't get Curves and the registration papers crossed off my list.