Hello Family,

Well, we are back home safely!  Sarah and Mark, we wish you such a happy anniversary! :)  I apologize for not sending a card - for I have been thinking about it for the past two weeks! :(  

We were to arrive home yesterday, but we were offered, and accepted flying gift certificates to move our arrival to today.  We are very tired, but happy to be home.

Emily and Eliza, it was SO very nice to see you during our trip!  Emily, I was so glad to see your new workspace, your 'old' APT, your 'new and temporary' APT, and your future home and parish!!  How happy it makes me to picture you there.  Thank you for all of your kind hospitality, gift bag and general merriment that always ensues when we are together!! :)

Today - Shaw killed the second "Scratchys" of our house.  He evaded two mousetraps and was eventually brought to justice with a coat hanger, and eventually another rock.  Unfortunately, trash day is not for another two days.  I am not thinking about where it is right now.  

Love to you all! :)

Maureen 

Of Mice and Men

My Hero has struck again.

We had suspected that we were housing a little critter for a while now. Yet, the traps found nothing. Then, on the morning of our BBQ, Shaw was putting ice in the cooler and freaked a little guy out. It ran out, brushed Shaw's leg, and ran away. Very frightening, but work had to be done for the day.

Then - last night in our bedroom, I was awakened by a scratching noise. I have grown accustomed the the scratchy noise, for we hear it quite often in our walls, and on the outer wall of our bedroom. However, this was louder. Much Louder. I heard scratching against metal! I tried to calm myself down, and resumed my slumber.

4:30 AM - the same noise. I was starled, but attempted to ramain calm and listen. Then I knew this was it. The critter we had affectionately began calling "Scratchy" had entered my bedroom. I turn on my bed side lamp to wake Shaw. Poor man was to wake only an hour later for class. We looked around and found nothing. We resumed sleeping.

5:30 AM - The same story as above

6:30 AM - Shaw is working in the kitchen, and I hear a noise. I bang against the wall and yell to get out of here. Shaw comes running - while on his way, I SEE IT!! It runs from our dresser to under our bed. Shaw comes in and tells me to leave. He shuts the door......

6:40 AM - After strange noises coming from the battle in the room, Shaw enters into the kitchen (where I am making our lunches for the day) carrying a shoebox. My shoebox. The shoebox that originally held my wedding shoes, and then my memory box of letters. Shaw looked at me triumphantly. He had captured the critter. Our room is in ruins - everything off the floor and onto the bed. He trapped the critter with a large Tupperware and the shoebox, and cornered him in our closet.

Yet, he was not finished. Scratchy was not entirely dead. After the battle, the hero must finish his enemy off. Shaw put on his shoes, and took the box outside.....

Luckily, it was trash day.

Love,
Maureen

Pictures!

Happy Thursday!  

Everyone is invited to our BBQ this Sunday at our little house!  3:00 PM for brats, chicken, dip, fruit, the famous Rielley potato salad and bring your favorite drink! :)  I hope to see everyone there! :)

Here are 5 more random pictures from our Honeymoon:

Shaw driving the boat we rented on Capri.  It was fun.  We came very close to dying on one side of Capri with very high waves!!!  (I was not raised on water, so there was a great amount to get used to!)

This is our first day in Positano.  This is the top of our hotel, located at the very top of the city.  FABULOUS pool and view of the ocean!  We had a wonderful lunch here - 

Artsy picture Shaw took of me, the ring, and St. Peter's

Shaw holding our tickets for the Scavi Tour.

Capp in Roma!!! :) I don't drink coffee here, but in Rome we would drink it multiple times a day!!

Welp - love to you all!!

Maureen