June Comes to and End

And I haven't achieved my goal of have a 'rough draft' of my dissertation done, but I'm still sitting pretty well. I have about 11,000 words and need to do some serious pairing down and clarifying my message! I found out this week that footnotes ARE included in the total word count... damn. That hurts.

I met my friend Leslie for lunch and coffee yesterday. She's in my IEP course and we discussed how our work is progressing and a life in general. She's quick to point out that the point I'm trying to make in my dissertation is not so clear, and I need to work on that. I've spent about 50 hours over the past week working on it - and I think I'm too close to the material. I need to take a step back!


Tim leaves for Alnwick today. It is the SCSU/Alnwick Programme's 25th Anniversary. I plan on working all day today and tonight and tomorrow morning, and I'll take the 2 o'clock train down tomorrow and join him. It's going to be great weather - Sunny and HOT!

The Emerald Isle

Tim and I spent 5 days/nights in Ireland and it was Fantastic! My friend Catherine invited us to stay with her family and she and her boyfriend James drove us down to the southwest corner, Kerry, where we stayed for several nights.

Glendoughloch, outside of Dublin, Ireland.

I'm standing in a hole if you're thinking Tim looks taller than normal.

Randy and Cam's May Visit - continued

Randy and Cam - resting comfortably within the palace walls, probably watching "This Life" or some other addictive series!!






Don't these boys look like they belong in Europe? Randy and Cam - enjoying some sight seeing and shopping on Leidestraat, Amsterdam.







Miss you guys and see you soon!

Friends in Scotland

Stevie K, Tim and Melissa on top of the palace.




Jamie and Mel and in the Duke's Park and at Sam's












It's been a fantastic Spring in Scotland!!! The weather has been superb (sorry Cam and Randy!!) for the past couple of weeks and we've had some of our best and oldest and closest friends visiting us: Cam and Randy (pictures being developed soon!), Stevie K and Melissa, and Jamie and Melissa

Steve and Melissa in front of the Palace














We picked up Steve and Melissa on Friday morning and spent the day catching up. They had just come from London, so we didn't have any of the usual jet lag issues. Saturday was a gorgeous day - it involved a walk in the park and some lunch at the picnic tables Baguette Express. I think we've given Baguette more than our fair share of business with our latest friend visits. From Henry and Ann's BBQ, to the visit to "Club Infirmary" (b/c Melissa fell and fractured her arm!) to the late nights either in Sam's or in Edinburgh, we had some great times and great laughs. Just ask Steve about why the Gap's jeans vary in size, regardless if they are labelled the same or not.

Upon dropping Melissa and Steve off at the airport, I picked up Jamie and Melissa. More Baguette Express and catching up, we spent a few too many hours at Sam's the first day, but we had lovely walks and nights out for good meals. The two of them are away for a week in the Highlands before returning for one more night out with us next Monday and then home to Minnesota.