Little Wooden Shoes, Bicycles, Canals, Van Gogh... Amazing Amsterdam

Little Wooden Shoes... the grandbabies love them! I wish I had bought a pair for my house too! Maybe next time! (click photo to enlarge)

I had heard about the bicycles... but until I saw it, I couldn't really imagine how many there are! EVERYWHERE!! And EVERYONE gets around on them!! There are bike lanes all around the city... maybe WE should try it here in the States as an alternative to our outrageous gas prices?? And a good cardio workout as well! ha!

I always love the old city/new traditions! This is a skate park in front of history...

The Van Gogh Museum... what a wonderful opportunity to see Rembrandt as well! It was all INCREDIBLE!! I bought a Van Gogh reproduction canvas of his work "Almond Blossoms"... he painted it for the birth of his brother's baby... so pretty. Such talent, so troubled, and not to be famous until after his death... a true tragedy.

Lovely canals... another way to get around this beautiful city.

If you know me, you know that I love a good pizza... so I had to try it here! Pretty good... and the "ambiance" of the location made it all worthwhile!

My hotel... such a great location... views of the canals and close to everything!

My friend Evelyn... she has been flying around the world for many years, and I always enjoy flying with her.

So glad to be part of the Continental Crew!

An Evening in Paris

A cloudy day for us in Paris... but you know what?? I don't think you would EVER use the words "dreary" or "gloomy" as we do at times. Paris is just too beautiful!! There truly is something about this glorious city that makes it one of the number ONE places that girls dream about going! And I am no exception! It's ALWAYS a treat to visit! (click on photos to enlarge)

How about our new crew room? Wowie!! Modern, comfortable and free Internet too. A great kitchen even includes a coffee, espresso machine! And how do you like my live model, Mary?! Ha! She was a good sport to pose for me and a real joy to work with too! I never tire of young, hard working FA's who are full of spunk and life! It's what makes my work fun.



What a perfect outing we had in Paris! The "ISM" (Inflight Service Manager or "Lead FA") on our flight over, Rex invited us to join him to take the train for dinner near Notre Dame, which is considered the "Latin Quarter" in Paris. Here are Mary, me & our crew's ISM, Marissa enjoying the quaint streets of the Latin Quarter.

We were sooooo fortunate to find a little Bistro that really was the epitome of what you hope to find when looking for an authentic french restaurant! The ambiance was enchanting, the food was fabulous and the company and conversation, the best! Thanks again Rex!

This photo of the Eiffel tower at night was actually taken on one of my summer trips... but it captures the essence of the "Sparkles" the best! I really can't even describe how INCREDIBLE the Eiffel Tower is at night when at the top of the hour the sparkling light show begins!! I can't get enough of it!! And I can hardly wait to start taking friends and family there with me!!

Well.... sooner or later we DO have to fly passengers back to the States! Ha! Oh yeah, that's right! I'm working!! I almost forgot! Here is my final view from the hotel parking lot of that ever magical landmark.... Tour Eiffel... until next time... au revoir! Lord bless you ALL! xo

Lovely London.... and LOTS of photos!!

LONDON! So much fun!! We stay at the Hilton right at the Gatwick Airport, and I have to admit... for as often as I fly there, I only take the train into the city maybe a third of the time I travel there... often, it's just nice to relax in my room and I've become QUITE familiar with the airport terminal shops! HA!! I love the little boutique stores, and the Marks & Spencers grocery store has become a favorite. (I always look forward to their "pasta, chicken, tomato & basil salad") But for those times that I DO want to get out?? I am fortunate to get a FREE train ticket on the Gatwick Express for the 30 minute ride to Victoria Station in the heart of London!! From there?? The sky's the limit!! I've been to the famous Harrod's department store, and recently went shopping on Oxford Street for Christmas gifts. It was as bustling as NYC!! GREAT fun!

The trains are frequent, smooth, fast and even have a beverage & snack cart that comes through... nice to be served now and then for a change!...

I will always remember my first "Double-decker" bus tour through London... it was INCREDIBLE!! It lasted over 2 hours .... and my first impression?? The city was so much BIGGER than I expected! It just went ON and ON! Absolutely beautiful!

And EVERYWHERE I go there is STARBUCKS!! Look what we started! ha! A Mint Mocha in the winter? Divine!

Hyde Park was beautiful and quite a gathering place... I look forward to taking a picnic there this coming summer...

Another definite "must do" in the future? The London Eye ferris wheel... it stands over 400 feet tall, and takes 30 minutes for a full circle ride. The views are said to be up to 25 miles on a clear day... ahhhhh... that's the secret... getting a clear day in London! grin!

The "London Bridge"??? No, but most of us tourists think that it is... the London Bridge is really just a basic bridge... this Tower Bridge is more eye-catchting though...

I always love and appreciate the "old" and the "new" of the architecture while traveling overseas.

Westminster Abby Church... another great tour to look forward to.....

Big Ben... such a lovely sight!

Always more fun to be had with a great crew! Rosemary (on the left) and I stay in touch... she is from Atlanta, GA, and a true "southern belle". It didn't rain the day we toured, but it was windy and cold... how do you like our free "slickers"??



And what would a day in London be without "fish and chips" at a local Pub??

Buckingham Palace... I'd love to go back and see the "changing of the guards" sometime.

My very first London crew.... as I've said before, a crew can make a trip "fun"... or "very long"... I'm so glad that this one was wonderful!! Many happy memories and I always enjoy running into them at the airport or in the crew room... I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse of London! (p.s... remember to click on the photo, is you want to enlarge them! ) xo Jackie

Happy New Year!!

Happy Holidays to all!! Wow! 2008 already?? I hope this coming year finds your life filled with God's BEST!! Here are a few reflections of my December... lots of smiles and warm memories. The main reason for my big smile?? Just look at the photo below... two of the greatest "treasures" in my life... my lovely daughters... truly two of my best friends... I am humbled by their love for me, am so very proud of the women they have become and I'm so grateful for all that they bring into my life.
My youngest daughter was the "Ideal Hostess"... watch out Martha Stewart!! It took very little effort for older sis Becca and me to help, and there's no place we would rather be than all together!! What FUN!!
I have to mention my son-in-law as well... he treats me like a queen... who wouldn't love that? A young man of strong character & integrity... plus he puts up with all of us women! ha!! Shall we sing? These photos are the reason for our "gathering"... the annual Christmas party!! The pianist was hired and I was recruited to lead Christmas Carols... we had a blast!! Over 50 people enjoyed the festivities, including neighbors, family & friends... it was fantastic!! "Jingle Bells" was a favorite with the kids!!
Joe & Emma start off the "kids" portion of the party downstairs! It was crazy!! They all had so much fun, but we definitely will have someone assigned to "kid duty" next year! Toddlers, kids and boys, boys, boys everywhere!! Ha!
Auntie Becca & "Cassie" (her alias!) sported a new fashion in the kitchen! Too funny! Another generation of jokesters!! I LOVE it!! Can you ever laugh too much??

Michigan grand babies in their new Christmas dresses.... does it get any cuter??

A highlight of our visit in MI?... a trip to Frankenmuth, where we visited the largest Christmas store in the U.S... It was freezing cold outside, but we had a ball anyway!! I picked up a few new ornaments that reflect some of the special places I've traveled this year. And in this little town?? Jesus is alive and well and they are proud to display the "Good News" everywhere! And how happy was I to be surrounded by grand babies?? I was in "Nonnie Heaven"! grin!

Back in NJ, Becca, Joe, Emma and I took the train into NYC.... look out Big Apple... here we come!!! Becca is my "energizer bunny" girl and we always do NYC in a BIG way when she comes to visit! Thanks to her I'm ready for "willing and able" (ha!) visitors who are anxious to enjoy the City!...

Baby Emma was all smiles taking in the sights and sounds of the city... it was pretty special too to put on Nonnies fur hat, but I think she still wonders if Nonnie is a little "nutty"... ha!!
Dinner in Time Square at Bubba Gumps, the beautiful tree and decorations at Rockefeller Center, window treats at Macy's and Saks... it was magical!! Joe walked for hours without a word about being tired... what a trooper! But by the end of the night we were all ready for a "long winter's nap"!! Happy New Year everyone!!

Merry Christmas from Limerick!

Merry Christmas from little Limerick, Ireland!! As many of you know, this is one of my favorite places on earth!! So cozy, charming and the people are the nicest! And at Christmas? Magical! Every street has a different decoration... Christmas music with Bing Crosby, etc. plays throughout the town... so lovely!




Always wonderful to spend an evening with my friend John. Born & raised in Limerick he has such an interesting life here. He does accounting for a local church here, and also lectures all over (including the U.S.) on the history of Irish music, as well as reviewing Irish bands for local publications. We have enjoyed Irish concerts, wonderful conversation and good meals as well. We share our faith in common and he has been such a blessing!

Christmas blessings to you ALL!! xo Jackie

Belfast Part II

I couldn't help but add a couple more photos! I enjoyed Belfast so much that I was glad to pick it up again this week. And what a treat to have a "fly-girl friend" along! More Christmas market fun at Belfast city hall with Shawn! We had the best scalloped potatoes with smokey ham for dinner and some divine mulled hot wine that warmed up the chilly night. Delicious thin wafer cookies were bought for Christmas gifts and some summer sausage & Bratwurst for Mom. Oops! The sausage & Bratwurst was confiscated at customs when I returned... OK... none of us knew, but now I do.... NO meat, fruits or vegetables allowed from overseas!... even if vacuum sealed! NOW I'm travel savvy! ha!! On a side note... we had a really great crew, which always makes our job a pleasure!
(p.s... click on the photos to enlarge)