The Holdaway Five

After the fabulous concert was over, we trekked outside to go home. Ash and I decided to go stalk their buses, since they were headed down to SLC the next morning.  I couldn't help but laugh at myself as we stood outside, just HOPING that we'd catch glimpses of the guys.  Oh, we did.

See who is walking toward ME?!!! It's Keith! He walks up to me first and threw me off, it all happened so fast I felt like a first-class moron.  This is the highly intellectual conversation in a three second period:

Keith: "Hi, do you want me to sign something for ya?"
Me: "Uh, sure! Yeah...." (I dig furiously in my purse and pull out the CD insert)
Me: "Uh, you got a PEN?"  Like an IDIOT I spit on him.  
Keith: "Ya."

He signs on his pretty picture, I stand there watching him without BLINKING. He is actually physically standing in front of me.  I tell him that the show was a good one and he did a great job.  He nods in appreciation and Ashley blurts out, "I LIKE YOUR COAT!"


This is my favorite picture.  We ran down to the OTHER end of the line and asked him to stand in this awesome picture.  I LOVE this one.
Neil came out.  He is an amazing musician.  He is also a truly beautiful person.  He looked us in the eye, talked to us one on one, made us each feel special and important.  I told him that we loved his music and can't wait for his solo album to come out and he was very gracious and humble.  After he went down the line, he came BACK and chatted with us again.  Ashley worked up her courage and asked him for a pick.  AND HE GAVE HER ONE!!!!


Then Daniel walked up to us.  He's brand new and just joined CT earlier this year after winning 'Britian's Got Talent.' He's such a sweet little lad and he was very fun to see! 

And right underneath Daniel's autograph is Emmett's! He didn't have a marker, so he signed with a regular pen; making it difficult to see in the picture. 


What a beautiful voice Emmett has! He just joined CT last year, so he's relatively new also.  He fits right in and makes my toes curl with his vibrato voice. 

Ryan dazzled us! His pretty eyes and beautiful smile enchanted me.  His accent is so fun to listen to.  (well, they ALL are fun to listen to...)




Then George was next!  He is so fun, outgoing and doesn't take himself too seriously.  He stopped to take pictures with all the kids and was such a good sport.  He's squeezing Ashley so hard! He said he wanted to make her husband jealous, since he's Donny's favorite! What a character! We smelled like him until the next day, that's how close we were to them! 
He said to us when he saw us, "It's my front-row-FRIENDS!" I asked him if we were distracting and he said yes.  GOOD!

The first note strikes and we go nuts.  We're yelling and cheering as all of the members of Celtic Thunder saunter onto the stage.  They open their mouths and the most beautiful sounds come out.

They sang more songs like 'A Place in the Choir' and 'I Got Friends in Low Places' and 'You've Got a Friend in Me'.  George came out and played '500 Miles' and got the whole house involved with singing the chorus.  Emmett is more classically trained and can sing like an angel, complete with the vibrato of an angel! Little Daniel just joined the group earlier this year and is only 13 years old.  He has a high voice, so beautiful and pure.  He brought tears with his version of 'Over the Rainbow'. Gorgeous.

They are fantastic entertainers! Wholesome, uplifting music and we had a total ball.  I think we were very obnoxious though.  But it's good to be obnoxious when you are having fun! We'd giggle for their very cheesy choreography, laugh when they'd spit, cheer when they would belt out high notes and even cheer when Keith LOSES it and can't sing his song because he's LAUGHING too hard. 

The ended with 'Ireland's Call' and came out in their kilts. I forgot to breathe during a few parts, I was holding my breath.  I was waiting for the cheesy choreography and for the parts of the song they 'twirl' round in their kilts.  It was better than I ever dreamed.  Their voices blended and gave me goosebumps from my toes to my eyebrows.  Absolutely perfect.

I Bought the tickets 238 days ago.  Lost sleep over the excitement and filed through loads of outfits at discount stores to find the perfect outfit.  My heart skips a beat with every thought of meeting my idols.
Yes, I worship false idols...and you would too if you knew how deeply this music touches my very soul.  The fact that Keith Harkin makes my toes curl is just a perk.
I drive up to Boise on Halloween, my Dad's birthday.  We go out to celebrate and I made cookies for him, etc. etc. etc.  But that is another post for another day. 

It's November FIRST.  I've been looking forward to this day for most of 2011.  Got my hair done.  I wanted something different.  Put purple and blond highlights.  It looks so awesome!

It started at 5:45 and the time on the clock was 5:51.  My heart SANK.  I felt nauseated and we RAN out of the house.  Needless to say, we got from my parent's house to the Morrison Center in 12 minutes.  New record.  Normally it's a 20 minute commute. 
We got to the Morrison Center, have our wrist bracelets on, and went into a special room where our boys await.  I felt dizzy with excitement, as they don't disclose WHO is doing the Meet & Greets.  Our knees are knocking together.  My breath stops in my throat. 
It's KEITH and NEIL!  My favorite.  Ash's favorite.  They have NEVER done a Meet & Greet together before.  Believe us, we tried to figure out a pattern with all the shows.  I swallowed hard and got in line to have my CD signed. 
Keith signed the CD.  I asked him to sign it to Ryanna and me.  It all happened so fast and he was all business.  Neil, on the other hand, was very personable.  He looked me in the eye, shook my hand, and we chatted for 5 seconds before the picture.  I wanted to have them on each arm, just to be different, but it all happened so fast that I threw Keith off and Neil put his arm around me.  Now it looks way awkward.  But it was MY moment, not theirs!

We erupt with giggles of delight and have to go sit down because we are lightheaded! Talk about seeing stars!



The show didn't even start for another hour.  We had time to kill, so we figured we better buy some merchandise. 


We are finally able to go to our seats nearly 45 minutes later.  The anticipation is absolutely killing us.  We go to our seats.  There is ONE CHAIR between us and the stage.  We're in the middle of the second row. 

There are 3,900 seats in the house...and we are ONE CHAIR away from the stage!!!!

Been working so hard with my little house, I can't wait to show you pictures. Kitchen is crammed full with stuff! Food, cans of food, food storage, etc. We are not lacking in the food department. Or any small appliances therin. I put up two shelving units in the bedroom to put our linens and other stuff on. I unpacked 5 boxes of random crud and put away or threw into the D.I. pile. It's hard getting rid of the U of I vandal shirts that the kids wore when they were little and other things, but I don't want to have baggage! I kept one for a keepsake, but then I'm going to let someone else have the opportunity to own it. It feels so good. Started putting away Ryanna's room, but it's SO HARD with all the boxes in the way. I honestly am so blessed.


I made a new friend! The only one I have in Logan and she hardly speaks english. She's hispanic and has only been in the US for 8 years. Her young kids are learning english so they speak with NO accents. They absolutely crowd me! They are so sweet. Two little girls, one 7 and one 2. The 7 year old invited us over to her house yesterday and since she goes to the same school as Ryanna and Dawson, M (can't remember her full name, it's very Mexican) caught up with us as we walked home. (she only lives 3 doors down across the street) She reminded me the ENTIRE way home how I promised to come over and to come to her birthday party with a pinata and lots of 'Spanish People, not white like you'. It is so darling. I said that we will come over after school and as we walked up to her house, she had her little nose pressed up against the glass waiting for us. Her younger sister (the 2yr old)'s name is Emily. Very beautiful. HUGE black eyes and dark hair. Very 'bonita' as Marina taught me today.

Marina is very patient and we do alot of communication with our hands. I am bubbly and happy around her, she is so sweet. She has a garden and gave me 2 squashes, 4 tomatoes, 4 cucumbers and cilantro and 4 ears of corn she grew and picked for me. She also tried giving me clothes and we're already planning play dates next week. She walks M to school and watches at the window for me. (My 'backdoor' is more like a sidedoor. It is mostly glass, you can see into the kitchen from the street) Next week she said she'll teach me how to make tamales. As she said, "I cook tamales. You just watch." You betcha I'll watch! I'm excited to learn.

I am starting to feel like I'm on a mission. To love the people around you. I am surrounded by Hispanics and am always waving to the neighbors. I am really regretting NOT taking spanish. Only knowing how to say, "Hello! How are you? Me, I'm so-so." Hasn't proved very helpful. By the way, it's "Ole! Come estas? Eh, tu asi-asi." Yes, that was enough to get me an A. Go figure. I also learned how to say The Pledge of Alligence. Why? I have NO clue.

The kids are adjusting and LOVE their new school. Ryanna's on the 2nd floor, so she feels really big and important. Dawson is on the first floor and is so head over heels for learning. It starts so early here, we are up and at 'em by 6:15 and I'm yelling at the kids to get dressed and get their backpacks on since I'm usually making eggs, toast and yogurt. It makes for a long day, but it's so nice. I walk with them, it's a mile round trip, and beautiful. It's such a gorgeous area! Every house is intriguing, different and has a different story to tell. We pass by a horse, goat several older homes with lawn ornaments that are hysterical. We have gotten to know the Crossing Guard, Miss Lori. She has been doing it for 10 years and are seeing the kids she had when she first started, have kids of THEIR own. She has learned who my kids are and I told her that if I'm not there to lead them in the right direction. I look forward to seeing her each afternoon. She was telling me about this gentleman, who I see regularly riding his bike past my house. In his suit. With a small suitcase on the handlebars. Since we live so close to the temple, I wondered if he attended and just rode his bike home. She told me today that he suffers from seizures and attends the temple regularly. His mother just passed and he lives all alone. AHA! I know who we'll be visiting with cookies in hand soon.

THIS IS SOOOOO EXCITING! I love the people here. They drive like maniacs, but are still a very warm people. I have been stunned. I get funny looks since my van windows are rolled up and I lock my doors. No one does that here. No wonder it's the number one safest town in Utah. I like it. With so many hispanics around, I was a little wary of the safety and even cleanliness of the neighborhood. I am so wrong! It's been a lovely place to be. I actually look forward to my days. I love being at home and spending the majority one-on-one with Carter. Still such a busy body, especially with grasshoppers around!

Ryan is working hard and doing well. Since the little Mazda is gone, (when it died, the dealership in Brigham City was trying to fix it) would spend more to fix it than the car was worth. Now we're in the market for a new PREOWNED car. Since going through the dealerships have warranties and we've gotten to know the staff, they've been great trying to help us find a car. I think we found one. Pictures to come, if the financing works out.

Oh, and since the traintracks are maybe 100 feet away, we got to see another one this morning! The conductor waved to Carter this morning, and Carter was absolutely TICKLED!!!! I knew he was waving to him, because we were the only ones standing outside in the freezing cold in our jammies waving to him. Talk about something to make your day! As simple as that.

Cleaning.  Packing. Cleaning and packing.  And when I'm tired of cleaning and packing, I clean and pack more just for fun.

This morning as I was cleaning and packing, the doorbell rang.  I irritatingly answered the door as it was our postman.  He said I needed to sign for this package and I obliged.

I held the smallish envelope in my hand and read the return address.  My heart starts pounding, I immediately start to shake.  I tear it open as the breath catches in my chest.

There lying in the palm of my sweaty hands I see them.  And they're so pretty.  My Celtic Thunder tickets are in my possession.  MY possession! And I see the wristband that gets me into the Meet and Greet cocktail hour before the show. 


I start screaming as the kids are looking at me with puzzlement.  I am jumping up and down.  What a sight it must have been! I am shaking uncontrollable and giggling like a crazy person.  I yell at the kids to get their shoes on, we have to run an errand.  I fly over to my sister's house and flew up the stairs yelling all the way.  (while the kids were still getting out of the van, leaving all doors open, of course)

I gave her HER ticket and we sat there, at the top of the stairs screaming and yelling and shaking.  I am COVERED with goosebumps.  I can HARDLY wait. 

I will meet two of the guys in person.  Get one things autographed.  The letter enclosed requested that the fans NOT kiss nor grab the guys.  Their words not mine. 

During the meet and greet, I'm totally going to floor them with my gaelic.  I know like 3 words.  I will raise my glass and say, "SLAINTE!" (pronounced "slon-cha")

That outta get me some attention, don't you think?

We've been playing with the idea of moving to Utah for the last several months.  However, for you to move and reside in another state, you need the most important of essentials: a HOME.

After searching for days, endless phone calls, frustrating dead-ends, etc.  We finally found a little home to rent.  It'll be tight and without a dishwasher, but what an adventure to look forward to! Down-sizing is a good thing, got rid of extra stuff and clutter and hopefully life with slow down a bit. 

I haven't seen it yet, but when I do, I'm sure it'll be home.  Never lived in another state before, and I didn't think of myself as a true Idahoan...until I have to leave the comfort of the Idaho Bubble!

Been packing and cleaning.  Loving the idea of a fresh start.  Loving the idea of not having to pay for air conditioning.  (there isn't any!) And getting ready to wash every single item, utensil or otherwise, by hand.  I didn't have a dishwasher until this house, so for the last 2 years I've been spoiled...and I admit it. I've loved it!

Bring on the new adventure.  I welcome it.  Watch out Utah...here we come! As of the 26th we're officially OUTTA HERE!

P.S. Where in Utah you may ask? Home of the Aggies. I guess I'll have to get over my obsession of the University of Idaho VANDALS...they are not liked down there! (or so I hear)

Definition of ENCROACH: (verb)
1. Intrude on (a person's territory or a thing considered to be a right).