Guiness, Murphy's, Jameson

So I am way way behind on my blog. In May C and I took our first official big trip together. We went to Ireland. We spent a week and a half driving around Western and South Western Ireland. Ireland is absolutely beautiful.

I am not going to say traveling together was perfect...it wasn't...for some reason I was super cranky. Spending 24/7 with someone is tough no matter who you are with. But, in the end C put up with my bull and we ended up having a great trip.

Here are just a few of the places we visited Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Dingle, Michael Skilligs, Connor Pass, Kinsale, Cork, Charles Fort, Doolin Caves, Dingle Penninsula, etc... I kept a detailed journal of our adventures so I am not going to go into great detail. But, I will say that Ireland is definitely worth a visit...or two.

Oh Canada...

A couple things I have always loved about Canada are the crazy signs and the words/names that have innuendos in the U.S. but apparently don't in Canada. Or...maybe the Canadians just have a better sense of humor than the U.S.

Here are 4 fun signs, sayings, things I saw in Canada:

1. There is a town called Tata

2. There was a wrap shop that had a rabbit theme. Their tag line was "a great place to get stuffed".

3. The rap group "Swollen Members" was performing Saturday night.

4. We ate hot dogs from "Willies Winnies"

Horizon Airlines Sucks!

After a long week of travel I was anxious to get home. I was traveling with P from work. We got to the airport and when we checked in they told us our 8:30 flight was delayed until 10:00. On our boarding passes they printed a boarding time of 9:30. Since we got to the airport about 6:00 we figured we had tons of time to kill so we ate dinner in a restaurant prior to going through security. At 8:40 we went to security. I checked the departure board and....drum roll please...our flight was departed!!!! What the $#%&!!! We went to the gate and they said our flight had just left. We showed them our boarding passes with the "9:30" boarding time. They said we should have watched the departure board. Ummm....I know I should watch the board, but why are you telling me 9:30 when the flight is going to leave on time. Once you tell people a later time you should stick by that time. And we weren't the only ones, 2 other ladies that checked in early too also missed the flight.

P was traveling back to Sandpoint, so a shuttle driver was already in Spokane waiting to pick him up. Our poor shuttle drive had to drive over 3 hours for nothing. All in all this little misprint cost our company around $350.

Okay....now here is where Horizon Airlines wins customer service points. Because it was entirely our fault that we missed our flight they would not put us up in a hotel. (Forgot to mention this was the last flight out). I call our travel agent and they book us in a Embassy Suite Hotel. Still pissed off I continue to bitch to the agent. After threatening to never fly their airline again and stating that I was a corporate traveler we eventually got a credit on our account and two $25 coupons. A lot of good that is going to do me....from now on I will be flying Southwest Airlines. Why can't airlines just admit when they are wrong. Maybe you shouldn't print a "corrected" boarding times if you don't really know. If it had just said delayed I would have been watching that board like a hawk.

Why is it that we allow airlines to provide such horrible customer service. Is there any other service that blames the customer when something goes wrong. Where do they get off calling you a dumb ass?

Thank you to Embassy Suites for being so friendly and helping us make light of the situation. The bathrobe was a nice touch...I wasn't sure how I was going to sleep in my jean skirt. Sure the toothbrush you provided was extremely flexible and the toothpaste packets were very hard to open, but at least the customer service was impeccable. You rock!

Please take my poll at left to make me feel better.

Horizon Airlines...You SUCK!!!!

Christmas in the Spring

This weekend was fabulous! C and I did the Evan's Landing hike. The weather was perfect. The air smelled so fresh, like a Christmas tree. We did encounter a little bit of snow, but other than that it was a perfect hike. Kona and Kodi were with us and they enjoyed the water when we got down to the lake. I know I shouldn't let Kona swim since the water is so cold, but there is no stopping her. C and I sat by the shore of Lake Pend Orielle and soaked in the sun and each others company.

On Sunday we went mountain biking in Farragut state park. I probably won't be winning any mountain bike competitions anytime soon, but I still had fun. I only got a small pedal scrape on the back of my calf which isn't bad for my first time out in years. Of course I tried to take us somewhere that was too difficult for my skill level, are you surprised? C carefully suggested that maybe I wasn't ready for the trail we were on. He was right, but still I hate sucking at stuff.

All in all it was a perfect weekend. Next weekend we are off to Fairmont with my parents. And then...the countdown to Ireland begins.

Sadie

On Easter Mom and Dad told me that they would be willing to take Sadie from me once Neko passes. I have never seen C so happy. Poor Sadie, that cat has been so neglected since I got Kona. Kona definitely rules the roost. I had thought about giving Sadie to a better home, but honestly I was afraid to give her to anyone. She isn't exactly friendly. She is sort of Jekyll and Hyde. One minute nice and loving and the next eating your hand.

Just this morning she was trying to eat the roses C gave me and so I told her "no" and she hissed at me. So I got out the squirt bottle. After about 10 squirts and no response I finally gave her a shot of water to the face. Finally she stopped eating the roses, she was soaking wet.

I really hope that Sadie will be happy at Mom and Dads. They will be able to give her the attention she needs. One thing that is so fun about Sadie is that she loves to play. I definitely think her future is looking up.

I wonder (for mom and dad's sake) if they make kitty Prozac.

4 Wheeler Overload

Yesterday on the way home from work I saw a guy driving a 4 wheeler with two Labrador retrievers on the back. One was chocolate and the other yellow. They were wagging their tails excitedly. Obviously no the first time they have done this. Oh..and the guy had a kid riding in front of him. Now that is a full ride.

So Lucky

I am so lucky to have a boyfriend, that appreciates me for all the quirky things I do. That likes me the way I am, and spoils me rotten by bringing me flowers out of the blue. And...he knows/remembers that I think red roses are so over rated. Can't wait to see my man this weekend. We hope to cook lemon fettuccine together and go for a long bike ride. Oh...and he gets to meet my extended family this weekend!