Where is my watch?

My husband and I recently enjoyed a bus (whoops, I mean "coach") tour of Ireland and Scotland.  Our coach tour was organized by Trafalgar/Brendan Vacations.  As someone whose worst nightmares include driving on the wrong side of the road on the wrong side of the car, I highly recommend letting a professional handle the transportation.  Here are some random thoughts about our experience, in no particular order.   Try Guinness beer in Ireland!  Even if you have had it in the U.S., it is very different there.  Folks in Ireland and very proud of their Guinness.  They take their time with the pour, letting the Guinness rest in the glass for a bit before finishing with that lovely, creamy foam.  Even my husband, who drinks light beer (blech), enjoyed it!!! Ireland and Scotland are unbelievably green and beautiful, with rolling hills covered with sheep. Coastlines are gorgeous as well.  Toilets and showers are mysterious.  I had to read the directions to flush the toilet.  If t

My mother-in-law, Stella McGlone, passed away last week at the age of 86.  I feel the need to share some thoughts about her and the effect she had on those around her.  Stella was consistently upbeat, kind, thoughtful, loving, and forgiving.  In the 40 years that I had her in my life, I never saw her angry, I never heard her speak ill of anyone.  She made everyone feel welcome in her home and in her life.  She was a loving wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, friend, and neighbor.   Of course, nobody's perfect.  Stella was, well, not exactly a hoarder...let's say she liked things.  She liked a lot of things, and she liked to keep them close by (the basement, the "Christmas room," the back porch, to name a few).   She could bargain like nobody's business. Vendors at the flea market trembled in fear at her approach.  Stella could have taught an entire course on the art of the deal.   Stella was a coupon clipping, deal sniffing grocery shopper.  She didn't driv