Big Munster rugby match on tonight. The boys are at it. This gives me and my girl the opportunity for a girls night.
So, we brought through the crisps and sweets and watched Cirque du Soleil on the telly. It really is an amazing show. I've been taping them all. There seems to be a different show on every Saturday night. They are all different and all totally brilliant.
Then we worked off some of the crisps and sweets by playing an adventure game on the x-box!
Way to balance the evening!!
We just had time then to cuddle up on the couch to watch Avatar and wait for the boys to get home. Meggie didn't make it to the end!
Today I am grateful for some lovely we time with my girl.
Need to organise some we time with my boy(s)!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Friday, 30 March 2012
86 and counting
I've been sitting watching Sense and Sensibility on TV and it is now much later than I intended!
It is definitely one of those nights when I am sitting her twiddling my thumbs and going through the day bit by bit looking for inspiration.
It's not that I have nothing, or can find nothing, to be grateful for. On the contrary. But my problem is finding something worthy!
You see, I'm getting more particular now. I can't just write about any old thing now! I can't have you all getting bored and finding some other, more interesting blog to follow instead! I have a duty to my fans!!!!!
Today I am grateful to you all for still reading this after nearly three months!
I am sitting here now with a big smile on my face. The thought that you are out there reading what I have written...knowing that we have this connection....is lovely. And it really does inspire me to keep going, even when it's nearly midnight and I have work in the morning!
There have been lots of things to be grateful for today, and I shall give thanks for them all once I go up to bed. But the most important one for today is you guys. So I am...
Gratefully yours.
xx
It is definitely one of those nights when I am sitting her twiddling my thumbs and going through the day bit by bit looking for inspiration.
It's not that I have nothing, or can find nothing, to be grateful for. On the contrary. But my problem is finding something worthy!
You see, I'm getting more particular now. I can't just write about any old thing now! I can't have you all getting bored and finding some other, more interesting blog to follow instead! I have a duty to my fans!!!!!
Today I am grateful to you all for still reading this after nearly three months!
I am sitting here now with a big smile on my face. The thought that you are out there reading what I have written...knowing that we have this connection....is lovely. And it really does inspire me to keep going, even when it's nearly midnight and I have work in the morning!
There have been lots of things to be grateful for today, and I shall give thanks for them all once I go up to bed. But the most important one for today is you guys. So I am...
Gratefully yours.
xx
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Morning reflection
It was another glorious day today, made even more so for me on my walk into work.
The river was so calm, the water so smooth, that the reflections on the water were amazing.
There are normally quite strong currents in the river, so even when there is no wind, the surface of the water can be quite rippled. Today there was none of that. The water was totally flat and the reflections were just spectacular. Thank goodness I have a good camera on my phone! The scenes were just too good to miss! I love the fact that even in the heart of the city, you can find beauty if you open your eyes.
It also got me thinking...going all introspective!!!
Here's what I came up with....if you want to get a true reflection of who you are, you need to focus and calm all the ripples in your mind. You need still waters to reflect the real, true you. There is no use in trying to understand what's going on inside, if your mind is confused with trivia...ripples.
Yet another reason to get up early (Mags...take note!) and just sit quietly for a while! These things just make so much sense when you think about it!!!
So, I guess today I am grateful for still waters.
Gratefully yours.
xx
The river was so calm, the water so smooth, that the reflections on the water were amazing.
 |
| Sarsfield Bridge |
 |
| Smooth as silk |
There are normally quite strong currents in the river, so even when there is no wind, the surface of the water can be quite rippled. Today there was none of that. The water was totally flat and the reflections were just spectacular. Thank goodness I have a good camera on my phone! The scenes were just too good to miss! I love the fact that even in the heart of the city, you can find beauty if you open your eyes.
It also got me thinking...going all introspective!!!
Here's what I came up with....if you want to get a true reflection of who you are, you need to focus and calm all the ripples in your mind. You need still waters to reflect the real, true you. There is no use in trying to understand what's going on inside, if your mind is confused with trivia...ripples.
Yet another reason to get up early (Mags...take note!) and just sit quietly for a while! These things just make so much sense when you think about it!!!
So, I guess today I am grateful for still waters.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
I'm having a heat wave
Today I am grateful for another day of sunshine and warmth!
We get so little of it here, even in the summer, that it really is lovely to see blue skies and feel the warmth of the sun on your back as you walk.
We took full advantage of it today, because who knows if it will still be here tomorrow...now there's a good motto for you!!
Walked to school with the kids in the morning, load of washing out on the whirly-gig, sitootrie doors wide open all afternoon, kids playing in the garden...stopped short of eating on the patio though, 'cos the table is falling to pieces with rust even though I painted it with a special rust-protector last summer!
All tired tonight after all the fresh air. It's a good tired!
Here's hoping we get one more day....
Gratefully yours.
xx
We get so little of it here, even in the summer, that it really is lovely to see blue skies and feel the warmth of the sun on your back as you walk.
We took full advantage of it today, because who knows if it will still be here tomorrow...now there's a good motto for you!!
Walked to school with the kids in the morning, load of washing out on the whirly-gig, sitootrie doors wide open all afternoon, kids playing in the garden...stopped short of eating on the patio though, 'cos the table is falling to pieces with rust even though I painted it with a special rust-protector last summer!
All tired tonight after all the fresh air. It's a good tired!
Here's hoping we get one more day....
Gratefully yours.
xx
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
A little light reading
It was another glorious day today. Temperatures unseasonably high at around 20degrees this afternoon.
And where was I? Was I lounging in the back garden, or doing lazy laps in my pool....yeah, alright, I'm allowed to day-dream!! NO...I was donning my chauffeur's uniform and driving my two angels across town to singing and ballet lessons!
And while waiting for said lessons to be over, I was grabbing the short quiet spell with both hands and reading a book.
Not just any book, I might add. My lovely sister Linds sent me a book for my birthday. "The Wonderful Weekend Book - Reclaiming Life's Simple Pleasures" by Elspeth Thompson.
It's really great! Full of simple ideas, simple pleasures. It is easy to slip in and out of on just such an afternoon as this!
So today I am grateful that Linds is such a book-aholic and finds such great books! Also that she knows me so well!
Gratefully yours.
xx
And where was I? Was I lounging in the back garden, or doing lazy laps in my pool....yeah, alright, I'm allowed to day-dream!! NO...I was donning my chauffeur's uniform and driving my two angels across town to singing and ballet lessons!
And while waiting for said lessons to be over, I was grabbing the short quiet spell with both hands and reading a book.
Not just any book, I might add. My lovely sister Linds sent me a book for my birthday. "The Wonderful Weekend Book - Reclaiming Life's Simple Pleasures" by Elspeth Thompson.
It's really great! Full of simple ideas, simple pleasures. It is easy to slip in and out of on just such an afternoon as this!
So today I am grateful that Linds is such a book-aholic and finds such great books! Also that she knows me so well!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Monday, 26 March 2012
Seek and you shall find
I am coming to the conclusion that we are surrounded by positive energy. All of us. All of the time. And if only we recognised it, and grabbed it...well, the sky would not even be the limit!
And just as negative energy feeds off other negative energy...surprise, surprise...the positive energy seems to feed off other positive energy! (I always knew I should have been a rocket scientist!)
Yes, it just came up and whacked me over the head today and shouted "wake up, dozy" in my ear!
I've been reading about it and hearing about it for the last eight years or so. Ever since I started along this path of self-awareness and self-discovery. It pops out every now and again, from behind a bush, and goes "psssst, over here dim-wit". But I just say "Hi there." and keep on walking!.
Well, today I met a lovely woman who has absolutely no idea that she has had any kind of effect on me at all.
She's about my age, with two teenage kids, and she has just recently lost her mum. She spoke about her mum, and her dad, who is "having good days and bad days, but staying positive, as always". She spoke about the trials and tribulations of having teenage kids...but made it sound a whole lot better than some would have you believe. She just oozed positivity, and I don't even think she knew it!
So, today I am thankful for yet another chance to grab inspiration wherever I find it!
Gratefully yours.
xx
And just as negative energy feeds off other negative energy...surprise, surprise...the positive energy seems to feed off other positive energy! (I always knew I should have been a rocket scientist!)
Yes, it just came up and whacked me over the head today and shouted "wake up, dozy" in my ear!
I've been reading about it and hearing about it for the last eight years or so. Ever since I started along this path of self-awareness and self-discovery. It pops out every now and again, from behind a bush, and goes "psssst, over here dim-wit". But I just say "Hi there." and keep on walking!.
Well, today I met a lovely woman who has absolutely no idea that she has had any kind of effect on me at all.
She's about my age, with two teenage kids, and she has just recently lost her mum. She spoke about her mum, and her dad, who is "having good days and bad days, but staying positive, as always". She spoke about the trials and tribulations of having teenage kids...but made it sound a whole lot better than some would have you believe. She just oozed positivity, and I don't even think she knew it!
So, today I am thankful for yet another chance to grab inspiration wherever I find it!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Sunday, 25 March 2012
...and the living is easy
British Summer Time...you've just got to love it! Especially when the weather wakes up and gets with the programme!
Okay, I have to admit that I'm never keen on the losing of an hours sleep, but the benefits definitely out-weigh the lost sleep. And while I'm thinking about it...it does mean that when I get up, bright and early tomorrow morning, I may just catch the sky changing colour as the sun wakes up! My goodness...positives out of negatives again!
The beautiful weather brought out the joggers-in-shorts today. When we went for our now, lets admit it, getting pretty regular walk to feed the swans, they were swarming all over the place...the joggers-in-shorts, not the swans! And talking about the swans, they were so fed-up (literally) that we had to take our bread home with us again! Too many people with the same idea of taking a packet of bread with them for a lovely Sunday stroll!
It was lovely too, to get to eight thirty and still have the last slivers of daylight.
Yes, today I am grateful for the ever changing seasons. The circle of life, if you like.
Mother Nature doesn't sit still for too long, admiring her handiwork, before moving on to the next challenge. Not a bad example to follow!!
But don't forget to sit still and admire for a short while either.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Okay, I have to admit that I'm never keen on the losing of an hours sleep, but the benefits definitely out-weigh the lost sleep. And while I'm thinking about it...it does mean that when I get up, bright and early tomorrow morning, I may just catch the sky changing colour as the sun wakes up! My goodness...positives out of negatives again!
The beautiful weather brought out the joggers-in-shorts today. When we went for our now, lets admit it, getting pretty regular walk to feed the swans, they were swarming all over the place...the joggers-in-shorts, not the swans! And talking about the swans, they were so fed-up (literally) that we had to take our bread home with us again! Too many people with the same idea of taking a packet of bread with them for a lovely Sunday stroll!
It was lovely too, to get to eight thirty and still have the last slivers of daylight.
Yes, today I am grateful for the ever changing seasons. The circle of life, if you like.
Mother Nature doesn't sit still for too long, admiring her handiwork, before moving on to the next challenge. Not a bad example to follow!!
But don't forget to sit still and admire for a short while either.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Time to wake up
I had a lovely hour this morning, on my own, sitting all wrapped up in my snuggly blanket/wrap thingy in the sitootrie.
I had my cup of tea beside me and the heater on low, and I just sat. I let thoughts come and go. Mostly about the day ahead, the weather, how to have my shower and get ready for work without waking anyone.
I usually find it hard to just sit. I feel that I should be doing something...anything. But first thing in the morning, like today, is that wee bit easier because everyone is asleep. I have no lunches to organise, no one else to think about. It's too early to be doing laundry or emptying the dishwasher. And hoovering is totally out of the question! (Yes, I know ironing is a very quiet pass-time, but just go with me here!)
So I sat. Okay, I had to get a couple of times to let Gorgeous in...and out...and in again..but on the whole I just sat. I took my time and woke up to the day in my own time.
I've done it before, and I plan to do it again. It's definitely a good habit, and one of quite a few that I intend to get into this year! Wish me luck!
Today I am grateful for the new day to start as I mean to go on!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Friday, 23 March 2012
Smells like a good day
Today I am grateful for the wonderful smell of wet ground that met me when I went out this morning.
There is just something marvellous - clean and earthy - about the smell of the road, pavements and driveways after rain. It's almost as if the rain has come and washed away all the dirt and grime of the man-made and left just a little touch of heaven behind it.
In the garden, of course, the smell of damp ground and grass is much more fragrant, but also much more expected. You don't get the same slap around the head, tickle the nose and knock you over sensation. Which means that you don't get the same slow smile creeping across your face, or the same "maybe it's going to be a good day after all".
There are many smells that can wake you up in the morning and set you up for the day...good strong coffee, nicely grilled bacon, freshly baked pancakes, to name but a few, But I have to say that I think the unexpectedly fresh and hopeful smell of wet concrete in the morning has to be up there with the best of 'em!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
There is just something marvellous - clean and earthy - about the smell of the road, pavements and driveways after rain. It's almost as if the rain has come and washed away all the dirt and grime of the man-made and left just a little touch of heaven behind it.
In the garden, of course, the smell of damp ground and grass is much more fragrant, but also much more expected. You don't get the same slap around the head, tickle the nose and knock you over sensation. Which means that you don't get the same slow smile creeping across your face, or the same "maybe it's going to be a good day after all".
There are many smells that can wake you up in the morning and set you up for the day...good strong coffee, nicely grilled bacon, freshly baked pancakes, to name but a few, But I have to say that I think the unexpectedly fresh and hopeful smell of wet concrete in the morning has to be up there with the best of 'em!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Who cares
As I was walking in to work today, for some reason, I looked down and realised that my underskirt was showing. Not a big thing, you might think...then again, you might think, as I did, OMG. How awful!! What a disgrace! But, as I was on my way to work, there was nothing I could do about it.
Now, to put this faux pas into perspective...it wasn't that my underskirt was longer than my dress, it's just that as I was walking, my hem was blowing in the wind. Et voila! But still, the underskirt was going to show every time I reached for anything on a shelf if it showed as I walked! Horror of horrors!
Enter stage right...my swans. As I have said before (okay, you're probably fed up hearing it by now, but tough!) I find the swans calming, and they did not disappoint today either.
By the time I had walked the length of the strand I was no longer fretting about my wardrobe malfunction.
Acceptance.
I accepted the fact that my underskirt was showing and I could not go home to change it. But more importantly, I accepted that it was going to make not the slightest bit of difference to anyone! No one was going to stop me in the street and tell me I was a state. No one was going to tell me to leave the shop if I couldn't even dress myself properly. No one else cared!! They all have their own lives to get on with!
So today I am grateful for accepting that in the scheme of things, I am only one small grain of sand on the beach, and all the other grains of sand are doing the best that they can too!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Now, to put this faux pas into perspective...it wasn't that my underskirt was longer than my dress, it's just that as I was walking, my hem was blowing in the wind. Et voila! But still, the underskirt was going to show every time I reached for anything on a shelf if it showed as I walked! Horror of horrors!
Enter stage right...my swans. As I have said before (okay, you're probably fed up hearing it by now, but tough!) I find the swans calming, and they did not disappoint today either.
By the time I had walked the length of the strand I was no longer fretting about my wardrobe malfunction.
Acceptance.
I accepted the fact that my underskirt was showing and I could not go home to change it. But more importantly, I accepted that it was going to make not the slightest bit of difference to anyone! No one was going to stop me in the street and tell me I was a state. No one was going to tell me to leave the shop if I couldn't even dress myself properly. No one else cared!! They all have their own lives to get on with!
So today I am grateful for accepting that in the scheme of things, I am only one small grain of sand on the beach, and all the other grains of sand are doing the best that they can too!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Motivation
Okay, here we are. Lets talk about motivation.
Why, oh why, is it so hard to motivate yourself to do something, even if you know it will make you feel good???
I can understand it being difficult to motivate yourself to go for a ten mile run in the rain....mind you, even that would probably make you feel fantastic afterwards! In fact, the more I think about it, the more I am tying myself in knots! I guess that almost everything you do needs a certain amount of motivation, and almost everything you do gives a certain amount of satisfaction, even in just knowing that you have done it!
Okay, let me re-phrase the question...why, oh why is it so hard to motivate yourself to do anything other than nothing???
I always feel so virtuous, calm and contented after I have done some of the dreaded housework (now there's a topic for another night!! House work, or home caring...is it all a matter of how we see it???), but can I get myself motivated to do more of it, or more often?? Not on your nelly!
Today I am grateful for having enough motivation to spring clean my bedroom, which is now a calm, serene(??) and dust-free sanctuary. And I shall enjoy it while it lasts, and endeavour to keep it pristine for as long as is humanly possible!
Any motivational tips would be gratefully received!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Why, oh why, is it so hard to motivate yourself to do something, even if you know it will make you feel good???
I can understand it being difficult to motivate yourself to go for a ten mile run in the rain....mind you, even that would probably make you feel fantastic afterwards! In fact, the more I think about it, the more I am tying myself in knots! I guess that almost everything you do needs a certain amount of motivation, and almost everything you do gives a certain amount of satisfaction, even in just knowing that you have done it!
Okay, let me re-phrase the question...why, oh why is it so hard to motivate yourself to do anything other than nothing???
I always feel so virtuous, calm and contented after I have done some of the dreaded housework (now there's a topic for another night!! House work, or home caring...is it all a matter of how we see it???), but can I get myself motivated to do more of it, or more often?? Not on your nelly!
Today I am grateful for having enough motivation to spring clean my bedroom, which is now a calm, serene(??) and dust-free sanctuary. And I shall enjoy it while it lasts, and endeavour to keep it pristine for as long as is humanly possible!
Any motivational tips would be gratefully received!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Here comes the sun
I'm beginning to think that the birds and the bees have the right idea...they get up when the sun does and disappear when it's not around!
There is definitely something to be said for getting up when it's day-light and going to bed when it gets dark. It is also very plain to see that when the sun shines we all feel the benefit of its energy.
I was at work this morning, head down, working hard. But at one stage, for just a second (in case my boss is reading this!!), I lifted my head and caught sight of the sun streaming in the front door as a customer came in. It had been a bit overcast when I walked in to work, and I was just hoping the rain would stay off till I got home, so it was a very pleasant surprise to see the sun. It made me smile, and renewed my vigour for the tasks at hand!
But, as I have been writing this, a new and more exciting discovery has been made...
So, today I am grateful that by writing my blog every night, my spelling is improving!!!
I just realised as I was typing "definitely" that I had spelt it right!! I usual get it wrong and have to rely on spell-checker! Woo-hoo!
I knew this blog was a good idea!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
There is definitely something to be said for getting up when it's day-light and going to bed when it gets dark. It is also very plain to see that when the sun shines we all feel the benefit of its energy.
I was at work this morning, head down, working hard. But at one stage, for just a second (in case my boss is reading this!!), I lifted my head and caught sight of the sun streaming in the front door as a customer came in. It had been a bit overcast when I walked in to work, and I was just hoping the rain would stay off till I got home, so it was a very pleasant surprise to see the sun. It made me smile, and renewed my vigour for the tasks at hand!
But, as I have been writing this, a new and more exciting discovery has been made...
So, today I am grateful that by writing my blog every night, my spelling is improving!!!
I just realised as I was typing "definitely" that I had spelt it right!! I usual get it wrong and have to rely on spell-checker! Woo-hoo!
I knew this blog was a good idea!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Monday, 19 March 2012
The long weekend
Because Saint Patrick's Day was on a Saturday this year, we were lucky enough to have an extra holiday on the Monday (ie today!).
So, I have had a lovely four day weekend of treats. My birthday, Paddy's Day, Mothers Day and a day to get over the last three!
And today was a good day. The weather was fine. Not too cold, not too warm. It was dry, but cloudy. But as far as the kids were concerned it was perfect. They spent almost all day outside. K had cut the grass yesterday, so the garden was usable again, and use it they did.
It has also reached the time of year when the sitootrie is warm enough to sit oot in! So, I was able to take my magazine and coffee out there this afternoon, cat on my knee, kids playing away in the garden...what more could a body ask for? We even managed an ice-cream from the ice-cream van before our tea! (He usually appears about two minutes before the tea is ready, much to the bairns disgust!)
Anyway, today I am grateful for my peaceful half hour in my sitootrie, when all was right with the world. Bring on tomorrow...I'm ready for it!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
So, I have had a lovely four day weekend of treats. My birthday, Paddy's Day, Mothers Day and a day to get over the last three!
And today was a good day. The weather was fine. Not too cold, not too warm. It was dry, but cloudy. But as far as the kids were concerned it was perfect. They spent almost all day outside. K had cut the grass yesterday, so the garden was usable again, and use it they did.
It has also reached the time of year when the sitootrie is warm enough to sit oot in! So, I was able to take my magazine and coffee out there this afternoon, cat on my knee, kids playing away in the garden...what more could a body ask for? We even managed an ice-cream from the ice-cream van before our tea! (He usually appears about two minutes before the tea is ready, much to the bairns disgust!)
Anyway, today I am grateful for my peaceful half hour in my sitootrie, when all was right with the world. Bring on tomorrow...I'm ready for it!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Mothers day treats
Today is one of those days where it is hard to know what to write about, what one specific thing to be grateful for, because today there were so many.
Of course I am grateful for my kids, without whom I would not be a mother, and I'm grateful for my Mum, without whom I wouldn't be, well, me!
I'm grateful for the lovely breakfast in bed, that was brought up to me when I finally woke up...I'd say a good hour at least after the kids were up, so I'm also grateful to K for keeping the noise levels down enough for me to get my long lie!
I'm grateful for the knowledge that my Mum was being treated to a nice lunch and an afternoon with half her kids. And I hope that she also knew that the other half were with her in spirit!!
But I think today I am most grateful to have been there to see K's mam and dad have a lovely lunch out with three of their beloved grandchildren.
The love they have for all their family is clear to see, but they particularly dote on the grandkids. And having lunch out meant that they were able to enjoy the company without worrying about cooking, clearing up...or having the kids around for toooo long afterwards!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Of course I am grateful for my kids, without whom I would not be a mother, and I'm grateful for my Mum, without whom I wouldn't be, well, me!
I'm grateful for the lovely breakfast in bed, that was brought up to me when I finally woke up...I'd say a good hour at least after the kids were up, so I'm also grateful to K for keeping the noise levels down enough for me to get my long lie!
I'm grateful for the knowledge that my Mum was being treated to a nice lunch and an afternoon with half her kids. And I hope that she also knew that the other half were with her in spirit!!
But I think today I am most grateful to have been there to see K's mam and dad have a lovely lunch out with three of their beloved grandchildren.
The love they have for all their family is clear to see, but they particularly dote on the grandkids. And having lunch out meant that they were able to enjoy the company without worrying about cooking, clearing up...or having the kids around for toooo long afterwards!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Saturday, 17 March 2012
A walk on the wild side
Today I am grateful to Megan for suggesting that K and I go out for a walk with her this afternoon.
Thomas was out (is still out, in fact!) at a birthday party, so it was just the three of us and Maggie wanted to "do SOMETHING....I'm bored!" So it was decided that we would go for a walk and feed the ducks.
The sun had come out and it was actually a beautiful afternoon for a walk. We got to the bird sanctuary to find, not only the ducks and swans, but a beautiful heron...and a lady with a camera that put mine well to shame! The lens was so big she could hardly hold it!!! Still, I was not phased, or jealous or put out. I clicked away beside her, and would like to think that me and my wee Olympus got as many good shots as the photographer lady got.
I certainly enjoyed myself! And Meggie and I looked for nice contrasts again on the way home. She is getting really good at spotting little things that make us all smile.
It was a very enjoyable interlude. A good way to be together, enjoying the moment.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Thomas was out (is still out, in fact!) at a birthday party, so it was just the three of us and Maggie wanted to "do SOMETHING....I'm bored!" So it was decided that we would go for a walk and feed the ducks.
The sun had come out and it was actually a beautiful afternoon for a walk. We got to the bird sanctuary to find, not only the ducks and swans, but a beautiful heron...and a lady with a camera that put mine well to shame! The lens was so big she could hardly hold it!!! Still, I was not phased, or jealous or put out. I clicked away beside her, and would like to think that me and my wee Olympus got as many good shots as the photographer lady got.
I certainly enjoyed myself! And Meggie and I looked for nice contrasts again on the way home. She is getting really good at spotting little things that make us all smile.
It was a very enjoyable interlude. A good way to be together, enjoying the moment.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Friday, 16 March 2012
The birthday
Well, as birthdays go...it's gone!
Nothing special was planned for today (my birthday!! 21 again, and again, and again....) and I was quite glad of that fact for most of the day. I was very tired after my late night, made later by the fact I couldn't sleep with so much food so late in the evening! Does that just go to show that I'm getting old??
Anyway, I went back to school for a short while today, helping out in Megan's class, playing maths games! It was really good fun! And I indulged my sadistic side by making Meg stay and do a geography test instead of taking her away a wee bit early with me! Now, I wasn't cruel enough to go and leave her, you understand. I did stay in the class till she'd done the test, and she did still get out of school 5 minutes early!!
Then K phoned in the afternoon to suggest we go out to our favourite family restaurant for tea! That was a nice surprise, even though the thought of more food was not a good one! He then arrived home with a beautiful bunch of flowers...bless!
We go to a lovely restaurant on the riverside, called Milanos. milano.ie
The food is good, the kids menu is just right and the atmosphere is great. We had a lovely dinner, and I just had to show you Meggie's dessert.
Nothing special was planned for today (my birthday!! 21 again, and again, and again....) and I was quite glad of that fact for most of the day. I was very tired after my late night, made later by the fact I couldn't sleep with so much food so late in the evening! Does that just go to show that I'm getting old??
Anyway, I went back to school for a short while today, helping out in Megan's class, playing maths games! It was really good fun! And I indulged my sadistic side by making Meg stay and do a geography test instead of taking her away a wee bit early with me! Now, I wasn't cruel enough to go and leave her, you understand. I did stay in the class till she'd done the test, and she did still get out of school 5 minutes early!!
Then K phoned in the afternoon to suggest we go out to our favourite family restaurant for tea! That was a nice surprise, even though the thought of more food was not a good one! He then arrived home with a beautiful bunch of flowers...bless!
We go to a lovely restaurant on the riverside, called Milanos. milano.ie
Whet more could a girl ask for? A delicious Meggie-sized chocolate fudge cake, topped with smarties, and a lovely frothy chocolate topped bambinocino!
So, today I am grateful for my wonderful, unexpected, family birthday tea!
Gratefully yours.
xx
A good night out
I have to say that I am very disappointed that this blog post will be dated 16th March....suggesting that I missed 15th, when, in fact, I am writing it now after a jolly good night out, before saying goodnight to the 15th March!! So this is officially yesterday's blog...I think!
But I guess I'll have two posts dated 16th, so I won't worry about it too much!
Tonight I have been out on a "Girls Night", celebrating a belated International Woman's Day, and a very slightly early My Birthday!
There were just 5 of us, but we had a ball. A drink before dinner in a lovely hotel bar in town, very nice relaxing piped music in the background, and then a lovely meal in a restaurant overlooking the river. The food was excellent, and the craic was mighty, as they say here in Ireland!!
I met these ladies when I first met Kieran...nearly 20 years ago!! OMG! And a better bunch you will never find! They are generous of mind and spirit. Full of fun and with strong opinions, leading to some mighty "debates" and genuinely interesting conversations. A better bunch of friends I just could not ask for. I just love them to bits!
I've had a wonderful evening.
Today (well, I guess date wise it's yesterday...or is it tomorrow????) I'm grateful for a wonderful group of friends. I would not be without them.
Gratefully yours.
xx
(And after all that it IS dated 15th! I always knew it was impossible for me to write this either yesterday or tomorrow....live for the moment!!!)
But I guess I'll have two posts dated 16th, so I won't worry about it too much!
Tonight I have been out on a "Girls Night", celebrating a belated International Woman's Day, and a very slightly early My Birthday!
There were just 5 of us, but we had a ball. A drink before dinner in a lovely hotel bar in town, very nice relaxing piped music in the background, and then a lovely meal in a restaurant overlooking the river. The food was excellent, and the craic was mighty, as they say here in Ireland!!
I met these ladies when I first met Kieran...nearly 20 years ago!! OMG! And a better bunch you will never find! They are generous of mind and spirit. Full of fun and with strong opinions, leading to some mighty "debates" and genuinely interesting conversations. A better bunch of friends I just could not ask for. I just love them to bits!
I've had a wonderful evening.
Today (well, I guess date wise it's yesterday...or is it tomorrow????) I'm grateful for a wonderful group of friends. I would not be without them.
Gratefully yours.
xx
(And after all that it IS dated 15th! I always knew it was impossible for me to write this either yesterday or tomorrow....live for the moment!!!)
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
It's all in the mind
After my singing lesson today (which was really good fun, as usual), I decided to treat myself like a precious object (see "It's all about me" from 3rd March!), by going to Costa for coffee. I did toy with the idea of treating myself like a precious object by going for a lovely, long walk in the fresh spring air, but that idea lasted all of about 3 seconds! Motivation...now there's a subject for another night's blog!!
Anyway, as I sat savouring my delicious Flat White, my gaze drifted out over the shopping mall, watching the comings and goings. Some people rushing around, trying to get everything done before the kids come home from school; some mums with prams and toddlers and hands full of bags; some just strolling around, window-shopping and enjoying the bustle around them. But what really caught my attention was the number of elderly ladies, complete with walking sticks and "old Granny skirts". They looked ancient and fragile.
My Mam had a birthday today. She is officially elderly....but unofficially she is still a young thing! And comparing her to the old biddys in the mall today, she is years off being old! Not only does she not look old, or act old, but more importantly, I don't think she feels old. And therein lies the secret (well that and moisturising, don't forget the neck and decolletage, every day!)!
So today, I am grateful to my amazing mother, for teaching me the secrets of eternal youth, by her wonderful and inspiring example. I love you, Mam.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Anyway, as I sat savouring my delicious Flat White, my gaze drifted out over the shopping mall, watching the comings and goings. Some people rushing around, trying to get everything done before the kids come home from school; some mums with prams and toddlers and hands full of bags; some just strolling around, window-shopping and enjoying the bustle around them. But what really caught my attention was the number of elderly ladies, complete with walking sticks and "old Granny skirts". They looked ancient and fragile.
My Mam had a birthday today. She is officially elderly....but unofficially she is still a young thing! And comparing her to the old biddys in the mall today, she is years off being old! Not only does she not look old, or act old, but more importantly, I don't think she feels old. And therein lies the secret (well that and moisturising, don't forget the neck and decolletage, every day!)!
So today, I am grateful to my amazing mother, for teaching me the secrets of eternal youth, by her wonderful and inspiring example. I love you, Mam.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
What's new Pussy Cat
Every day when I come in from work I am welcomed home by my beautiful bundle of fur, Gorgeous.
She sleeps in the airing cupboard during the morning when I'm out - well, why wouldn't you sleep there? It's warm and cumfy and just the right size! But by the time I've come in the door and put the alarm off I hear her padding down stairs and I get a rub and a meiow. Just a lovely welcome home.
Now most of the time she's as bad as the kids..."maaaam, can I have..." only her maaam is a miaaaaw! She likes to let us know that she's in charge (again, much like the kids!) by going out then looking to come in again and out again 5 minutes later. Just checking that we are there at her beck and call. You guessed it...just like the kids!
But in the evening, once the kids have gone to bed and K and I are sitting down to relax, she appears and hops up on K's or my knee. She kneeds (doesn't look like a correct spelling, but you know what I mean) for a few minutes then settles down for a cuddly snooze. But don't dare move or she just eases over onto the other one's knee! No favourites here!!
She is quite a personality and we all love her to bits.
So, today I am grateful for my darling pussy cat, Gorgeous, and the circumstances that led her to us.
Gratefully yours.
xx
She sleeps in the airing cupboard during the morning when I'm out - well, why wouldn't you sleep there? It's warm and cumfy and just the right size! But by the time I've come in the door and put the alarm off I hear her padding down stairs and I get a rub and a meiow. Just a lovely welcome home.
Now most of the time she's as bad as the kids..."maaaam, can I have..." only her maaam is a miaaaaw! She likes to let us know that she's in charge (again, much like the kids!) by going out then looking to come in again and out again 5 minutes later. Just checking that we are there at her beck and call. You guessed it...just like the kids!
But in the evening, once the kids have gone to bed and K and I are sitting down to relax, she appears and hops up on K's or my knee. She kneeds (doesn't look like a correct spelling, but you know what I mean) for a few minutes then settles down for a cuddly snooze. But don't dare move or she just eases over onto the other one's knee! No favourites here!!
She is quite a personality and we all love her to bits.
So, today I am grateful for my darling pussy cat, Gorgeous, and the circumstances that led her to us.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Monday, 12 March 2012
You have to break a few eggs..
K is very good at looking after me, and the kids, when I have been working a full day. He always has something ready, or very nearly, for me to eat, often accompanied by a glass of wine, when I come in the door.
Well, tonight he excelled himself!
He would be the first to admit that he is not a chef. He is happy to cook a few well chosen meals, that he is familiar with and that are not too demanding (especially if there happens to be a rugby match on when the tea needs to be made!!). But this evening he cooked me a dinner that touched my heart!
It was a mushroom omelet. And, delicious as it was, it was not the taste that made it so good. It was the fact that he had actually looked up a recipe that he was unfamiliar with, added his own twist, and felt confident enough to go with his instinct with quantities rather than following the recipe word for word.
I have to say, I was very impressed. Master Chef here we come!!
So today I am grateful that I married the right man! I always thought I had, but now I know!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Well, tonight he excelled himself!
He would be the first to admit that he is not a chef. He is happy to cook a few well chosen meals, that he is familiar with and that are not too demanding (especially if there happens to be a rugby match on when the tea needs to be made!!). But this evening he cooked me a dinner that touched my heart!
It was a mushroom omelet. And, delicious as it was, it was not the taste that made it so good. It was the fact that he had actually looked up a recipe that he was unfamiliar with, added his own twist, and felt confident enough to go with his instinct with quantities rather than following the recipe word for word.
I have to say, I was very impressed. Master Chef here we come!!
So today I am grateful that I married the right man! I always thought I had, but now I know!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Lazy Sunday afternoon
Today I am grateful that I got to have a lazy afternoon watching films and doing nothing (not counting the weekly shopping!)
I do feel a little bit guilty. Okay, so the bathrooms could do with a clean, the spare room is a tip again and the blinds desperately need dusted...but I worked all day Friday and Saturday and am working all day tomorrow (get the tissues out!!Are you feeling sorry for me yet?).
I know a lot of people do a lot more than me without complaining, and I'm not complaining...just making excuses for sitting on my bum all day!
I have said in previous blogs how good it feels to do something useful. And it does! I know in my heart of hearts that I would feel a lot better about myself today if I had tackled some of the aforementioned chores. But do you know what? Sometimes the best that I can do is nothing!
I am not going to beat myself up about it. I am not going to feel guilty about it. The kids were fed and showered. K was fed, although he did have to iron a few shirts for the coming week. The food shop was done and put away, so there will be food for another week. The house has not, nor will it, fall about my ears 'cos I've not done my chores!!! So I am going to be grateful for the lazy Sunday afternoon, and move on!
Gratefully yours.
xx
PS Thanks for all your comments this week! They cheer me up!
I do feel a little bit guilty. Okay, so the bathrooms could do with a clean, the spare room is a tip again and the blinds desperately need dusted...but I worked all day Friday and Saturday and am working all day tomorrow (get the tissues out!!Are you feeling sorry for me yet?).
I know a lot of people do a lot more than me without complaining, and I'm not complaining...just making excuses for sitting on my bum all day!
I have said in previous blogs how good it feels to do something useful. And it does! I know in my heart of hearts that I would feel a lot better about myself today if I had tackled some of the aforementioned chores. But do you know what? Sometimes the best that I can do is nothing!
I am not going to beat myself up about it. I am not going to feel guilty about it. The kids were fed and showered. K was fed, although he did have to iron a few shirts for the coming week. The food shop was done and put away, so there will be food for another week. The house has not, nor will it, fall about my ears 'cos I've not done my chores!!! So I am going to be grateful for the lazy Sunday afternoon, and move on!
Gratefully yours.
xx
PS Thanks for all your comments this week! They cheer me up!
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Just smile
Today I am grateful for all the little things that made me smile today.
The fact that I had the right change for the toll to get to work this morning. The realisation that the article I had just read in my professional journal talked about the very thing the customer was asking about (it feels soooo good to really be able to help!!). The little tot saying "Thank you" as her eyes bulged out of her head at the sight of all the lollipops in the box being offered to her. The wonderful sunshine streaming in the glass front of the shop all afternoon (in some places I've worked you can barely see outside at all). The fact that it was still sunny on my drive home from work! Seeing the fantastic photo of Thomas, taken by himself in his room, where he looks cute enough to rival that Justin Bieber fella (and he can sing too!!!).
I bought a small notebook today to carry about in my handbag. Step two, I guess, of my master plan for this year. I'm going to use it to write down the little things to remind me later of all the good things that have happened during the day. A little reminder for when I sit down to write this! Mind you...I didn't write anything in it today!!! Even thinking "I must write that down" seems to have done the trick!
Strange thing, the human brain!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
The fact that I had the right change for the toll to get to work this morning. The realisation that the article I had just read in my professional journal talked about the very thing the customer was asking about (it feels soooo good to really be able to help!!). The little tot saying "Thank you" as her eyes bulged out of her head at the sight of all the lollipops in the box being offered to her. The wonderful sunshine streaming in the glass front of the shop all afternoon (in some places I've worked you can barely see outside at all). The fact that it was still sunny on my drive home from work! Seeing the fantastic photo of Thomas, taken by himself in his room, where he looks cute enough to rival that Justin Bieber fella (and he can sing too!!!).
I bought a small notebook today to carry about in my handbag. Step two, I guess, of my master plan for this year. I'm going to use it to write down the little things to remind me later of all the good things that have happened during the day. A little reminder for when I sit down to write this! Mind you...I didn't write anything in it today!!! Even thinking "I must write that down" seems to have done the trick!
Strange thing, the human brain!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Friday, 9 March 2012
Home sweet home
Today I am grateful that I have a lovely, cosy home to come back to at the end of a long day.
I was cold after my drive home, and tired. It was so nice just to come in, put on my jammies and put my feet up. Mind you, I had a choice of under 21s rugby or Wizards of Waverly Place to watch on telly...time I had my own personal tv up in my room!!!
Still, I was able to put my feet up and relax. I was even handed my dinner on a plate (well, it would have been a bit messy straight in my lap!).
So now I am warm and fed. The kids have gone up to bed and K is watching NCIS series 9 in the lounge. Gorgeous is probably curled up on K's knee (although I haven't heard any cursing as she digs her claws in!). It would appear that all is as it should be. So now I am going to climb upstairs to my bed and go to sleep. Another day is on it's way....and I want to be ready for it!
Gratefully yours.
xx
I was cold after my drive home, and tired. It was so nice just to come in, put on my jammies and put my feet up. Mind you, I had a choice of under 21s rugby or Wizards of Waverly Place to watch on telly...time I had my own personal tv up in my room!!!
Still, I was able to put my feet up and relax. I was even handed my dinner on a plate (well, it would have been a bit messy straight in my lap!).
So now I am warm and fed. The kids have gone up to bed and K is watching NCIS series 9 in the lounge. Gorgeous is probably curled up on K's knee (although I haven't heard any cursing as she digs her claws in!). It would appear that all is as it should be. So now I am going to climb upstairs to my bed and go to sleep. Another day is on it's way....and I want to be ready for it!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Thursday, 8 March 2012
The women in my life
You are not going to believe how long I have been sitting here wondering what to be grateful for today! And all the time it was staring me in the face...
Today I am grateful for all the wonderful women in my life! (You know who you are!!)
And you ARE wonderful...WE are wonderful!
It's no easy job, being a woman...just ask a man! We have to pluck our eye-brows, shave our legs, dye our hair, shop for hours, chat over endless cups of coffee, cry at weepy films, cry at romantic films (heck, cry at any film we want to cry over...who's going to dare try to stop us!!), complain about our hormones, complain about the lack of them, wear high heels, wear tights (must have been a male invention, they're so bloomin' awkward!), wear make-up! But, of course, that's all after we've got down to the business of looking after the house, the grocery shopping, the kids, the animals, the men-folk, the lunches, the dinners...oh, and got ourselves organised for work!!!
And we do it all with grace, love, elegance and dignity!
So here's to my very special Mam, my darling Meggie, my wonderful sisters, my amazing nieces, my terrific grand-niece (I know...I don't look old enough!), my lovely nieces-in-law, my fantastic mum-in-law and sisters-in-law, my brilliant friends, both in Ireland and Scotland, my aunts and female cousins, my cuddly-wuddly pussy-cat, Gorgeous.....did I miss anyone??? I love you all, and am glad to be part of the sisterhood!
**No men were hurt (I hope) in the making of this blog!**
Gratefully yours.
xx
Today I am grateful for all the wonderful women in my life! (You know who you are!!)
And you ARE wonderful...WE are wonderful!
It's no easy job, being a woman...just ask a man! We have to pluck our eye-brows, shave our legs, dye our hair, shop for hours, chat over endless cups of coffee, cry at weepy films, cry at romantic films (heck, cry at any film we want to cry over...who's going to dare try to stop us!!), complain about our hormones, complain about the lack of them, wear high heels, wear tights (must have been a male invention, they're so bloomin' awkward!), wear make-up! But, of course, that's all after we've got down to the business of looking after the house, the grocery shopping, the kids, the animals, the men-folk, the lunches, the dinners...oh, and got ourselves organised for work!!!
And we do it all with grace, love, elegance and dignity!
So here's to my very special Mam, my darling Meggie, my wonderful sisters, my amazing nieces, my terrific grand-niece (I know...I don't look old enough!), my lovely nieces-in-law, my fantastic mum-in-law and sisters-in-law, my brilliant friends, both in Ireland and Scotland, my aunts and female cousins, my cuddly-wuddly pussy-cat, Gorgeous.....did I miss anyone??? I love you all, and am glad to be part of the sisterhood!
**No men were hurt (I hope) in the making of this blog!**
Gratefully yours.
xx
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
The Moon and I
OMG! It's a full moon tonight, and it's a corker!
I was out this evening, and on my way there I had to stop at traffic lights half way down the long, straight road that leads into town. I looked up and saw just the tip of the moon above a mass of cloud. And as I sat there I watched it rise, like a hot-air balloon, out of the clouds, until I could see it in all it's glory! It was amazing. Just amazing. So big and bright and round!
I just love the moon. What's not to love???
As soon as I got home, I was out the front with my camera! The clouds were quite thick but once the moon broke through it was wonderful. I actually think the clouds add to the photos, give them some depth. Pity about the van parked at the gate though!!!
You can actually see how much brighter the moon is than the street lights! Quite an amazing thought when you consider how far away it is!
So today it's easy...I am grateful to have been stopped at traffic lights, and given the chance to see the moon reveal herself in all her amazing beauty. Dressed in light that she borrowed from her friend, the sun!
Like I said...what's not to love?
Gratefully yours.
xx
I was out this evening, and on my way there I had to stop at traffic lights half way down the long, straight road that leads into town. I looked up and saw just the tip of the moon above a mass of cloud. And as I sat there I watched it rise, like a hot-air balloon, out of the clouds, until I could see it in all it's glory! It was amazing. Just amazing. So big and bright and round!
I just love the moon. What's not to love???
As soon as I got home, I was out the front with my camera! The clouds were quite thick but once the moon broke through it was wonderful. I actually think the clouds add to the photos, give them some depth. Pity about the van parked at the gate though!!!
You can actually see how much brighter the moon is than the street lights! Quite an amazing thought when you consider how far away it is!
So today it's easy...I am grateful to have been stopped at traffic lights, and given the chance to see the moon reveal herself in all her amazing beauty. Dressed in light that she borrowed from her friend, the sun!
Like I said...what's not to love?
Gratefully yours.
xx
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Trivial pursuits
Let me first of all apologise for last night's blog!
I lay in bed last night, thinking about it, and I almost got up to re-write it! It was dull and boring and negative!
I must be honest, it is getting harder to find something to write about, something to be grateful for that I have not already said! But, after I went to bed I was thinking how stupid of me to say that things seemed too trivial to write about here....that's what this is SUPPOSED to be about! Being grateful for the little things! So, I ask you all to please accept my apologies and blank it out of your memories. It won't happen again...I hope!
It was a cold, wet, grey, miserable day today. So I decided to be grateful for the little things as I walked home from work, hood up against the cold drizzle.
I have a warm jacket with a hood. It is warm, the hood stays up, and it suits my figure...style and function! (How often do you get that?) My job does not involve working outside. I have a job! I have a pleasant walk to and from work. I have a home to go home to! The daffodils are out and shining a beautiful yellow, even in the rain. And they look as if they are playing peek-a-boo with passing pedestrians, from behind garden railings. My boots are comfy and warm.(Maybe not so "hot" on the style front, but hey...I like 'em!) When I smile and say hello as I pass someone, hurrying, head down into town, they smile back...take one and pass it on!
So today I am grateful for all the little, and not so little, things that I have to be grateful for.
Gratefully yours.
xx
I lay in bed last night, thinking about it, and I almost got up to re-write it! It was dull and boring and negative!
I must be honest, it is getting harder to find something to write about, something to be grateful for that I have not already said! But, after I went to bed I was thinking how stupid of me to say that things seemed too trivial to write about here....that's what this is SUPPOSED to be about! Being grateful for the little things! So, I ask you all to please accept my apologies and blank it out of your memories. It won't happen again...I hope!
It was a cold, wet, grey, miserable day today. So I decided to be grateful for the little things as I walked home from work, hood up against the cold drizzle.
I have a warm jacket with a hood. It is warm, the hood stays up, and it suits my figure...style and function! (How often do you get that?) My job does not involve working outside. I have a job! I have a pleasant walk to and from work. I have a home to go home to! The daffodils are out and shining a beautiful yellow, even in the rain. And they look as if they are playing peek-a-boo with passing pedestrians, from behind garden railings. My boots are comfy and warm.(Maybe not so "hot" on the style front, but hey...I like 'em!) When I smile and say hello as I pass someone, hurrying, head down into town, they smile back...take one and pass it on!
So today I am grateful for all the little, and not so little, things that I have to be grateful for.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Monday, 5 March 2012
Taking stock
Today I am grateful for my blog!
Every night, just before I go to bed, I come through to the computer, play a quick game of Spider Solitaire (well, you have to, don't you?), and then stop...take a deep breath...and take stock of my day.
Sometimes something has happened during the day that lets me know exactly what I need to write about here, but most days it's not so obvious. So, I have to look back over my day and think about it in a much more detailed way than I would have done before.
It gives me a chance to re-run things in my head, to realise that the negatives were not quite as bad as I thought at the time, and to see some positives that I looked at during the day, but may not have truly seen.
A lot of the time things seem too trivial to be writing about, but even to notice and acknowledge them to myself is a step forward. It also seems like a nice way to end the day. A kind of full stop after proof reading and editing the day's events.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Every night, just before I go to bed, I come through to the computer, play a quick game of Spider Solitaire (well, you have to, don't you?), and then stop...take a deep breath...and take stock of my day.
Sometimes something has happened during the day that lets me know exactly what I need to write about here, but most days it's not so obvious. So, I have to look back over my day and think about it in a much more detailed way than I would have done before.
It gives me a chance to re-run things in my head, to realise that the negatives were not quite as bad as I thought at the time, and to see some positives that I looked at during the day, but may not have truly seen.
A lot of the time things seem too trivial to be writing about, but even to notice and acknowledge them to myself is a step forward. It also seems like a nice way to end the day. A kind of full stop after proof reading and editing the day's events.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Home comforts
What do you do to comfort yourself? I don't mean when tragedy strikes, but when you're tired or fed up, a bit down, or even just sitting watching the telly.
I play with my hair. Usually it's totally sub-conciously. Sometimes I twirl it (yes, okay, a lot of the time I twirl it!), sometimes I stroke it and sometimes I just run my hands through it. I've been noticing it today because I had it cut yesterday, and blow-dried, so it feels really soft!
I guess it's not just for comfort though. I've noticed that it seem to help keep me focused when I'm doing something, trying to concentrate, or thinking about something. It's better than what I used to do...I remember getting an exam certificate for ballet once that said "would look better if she kept her tongue in her mouth!"
Where does it come from? How far back in my life is it's origin, and why does it give me comfort??
Do we all do things like that? Or am I just weird??? No...don't answer that!
I think I may just be a cat in disguise! I love my head being stroked and rubbed almost as much as Gorgeous (our cat) does.
Anyway...today I am grateful for newly cut hair. Soooooft!
Gratefully yours.
xx
I play with my hair. Usually it's totally sub-conciously. Sometimes I twirl it (yes, okay, a lot of the time I twirl it!), sometimes I stroke it and sometimes I just run my hands through it. I've been noticing it today because I had it cut yesterday, and blow-dried, so it feels really soft!
I guess it's not just for comfort though. I've noticed that it seem to help keep me focused when I'm doing something, trying to concentrate, or thinking about something. It's better than what I used to do...I remember getting an exam certificate for ballet once that said "would look better if she kept her tongue in her mouth!"
Where does it come from? How far back in my life is it's origin, and why does it give me comfort??
Do we all do things like that? Or am I just weird??? No...don't answer that!
I think I may just be a cat in disguise! I love my head being stroked and rubbed almost as much as Gorgeous (our cat) does.
Anyway...today I am grateful for newly cut hair. Soooooft!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Saturday, 3 March 2012
It's all about me
Today I am grateful for Me time...and, of course, the husband who bought the voucher which paid for the pamper day that was the Me time!!!
But listen to me...it's not about the pampering. It's about being good to yourself. Treat yourself like a precious object, and you will grow strong. I read that somewhere, and I really believe it to be true.
It's also not about being on your own. I can spend a whole morning here on my own, and not be nice to myself at all! It's taken me a while to come to the realisation that Me time is not just peace and quite and time on my own...I get that two or three mornings a week (ok, not so much recently, but in a "normal" week). Me time is about doing something which gives you pleasure. It could be a walk, it could be a half hour to meditate, it could be measuring out ingredients and baking a cake! It could be having a hot shower, some nice smelly body lotion and a full face of make-up! If it makes YOU feel good, then it's Me time!
We all give of ourselves every day. To family, friends, work colleagues, strangers on the street. But if we don't give to ourselves every so often, then where do we get the self to give away??? It's like trying to feed a large family every day without going to the super-market! You might manage for a couple of days, but in the end the hungry hordes are going to start eating you 'cos there's nothing left in the cupboard! And then every one will suffer...you get my drift??
So, here's to Me and here's to You. Go be nice to yourselves....you deserve it, and you're worth it!!!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
But listen to me...it's not about the pampering. It's about being good to yourself. Treat yourself like a precious object, and you will grow strong. I read that somewhere, and I really believe it to be true.
It's also not about being on your own. I can spend a whole morning here on my own, and not be nice to myself at all! It's taken me a while to come to the realisation that Me time is not just peace and quite and time on my own...I get that two or three mornings a week (ok, not so much recently, but in a "normal" week). Me time is about doing something which gives you pleasure. It could be a walk, it could be a half hour to meditate, it could be measuring out ingredients and baking a cake! It could be having a hot shower, some nice smelly body lotion and a full face of make-up! If it makes YOU feel good, then it's Me time!
We all give of ourselves every day. To family, friends, work colleagues, strangers on the street. But if we don't give to ourselves every so often, then where do we get the self to give away??? It's like trying to feed a large family every day without going to the super-market! You might manage for a couple of days, but in the end the hungry hordes are going to start eating you 'cos there's nothing left in the cupboard! And then every one will suffer...you get my drift??
So, here's to Me and here's to You. Go be nice to yourselves....you deserve it, and you're worth it!!!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Friday, 2 March 2012
Make em laugh
It's been a long enough day.
I'm ready for my bed, but determined to write my blog before I go. But what to write today?
It's been one of those days that just kind of slip by. The ones I am trying to avoid, but they still happen. I guess I need to remind myself more often to take time out to notice what's going on around me.
So, I'm sitting here, blank screen in front of me, head in hands, saying "I just want to go to bed!", when in comes K, large as life, cheeky as ever! He put his hands across me and started typing away at the keyboard...writing my blog for the day! Needless to say, I had to erase everything he wrote as it definitely was not for general viewing! But it certainly made me laugh!
It's a gift he has. He does it with the kids too. He tends to strike when you are least in the mood for it...which makes it all the funnier really. (Well, unless you happen to be Megan...she gets really annoyed with him when he tries to make her laugh when she's trying to be grumpy!!)
So, today I am grateful for K's sense of humour!!
It has also given me food for thought...what talents and gifts do we all have that we might not even realise we have? What gifts and talents do those around us show, and do we tell them enough how great they are???
Gratefully yours.
xx
I'm ready for my bed, but determined to write my blog before I go. But what to write today?
It's been one of those days that just kind of slip by. The ones I am trying to avoid, but they still happen. I guess I need to remind myself more often to take time out to notice what's going on around me.
So, I'm sitting here, blank screen in front of me, head in hands, saying "I just want to go to bed!", when in comes K, large as life, cheeky as ever! He put his hands across me and started typing away at the keyboard...writing my blog for the day! Needless to say, I had to erase everything he wrote as it definitely was not for general viewing! But it certainly made me laugh!
It's a gift he has. He does it with the kids too. He tends to strike when you are least in the mood for it...which makes it all the funnier really. (Well, unless you happen to be Megan...she gets really annoyed with him when he tries to make her laugh when she's trying to be grumpy!!)
So, today I am grateful for K's sense of humour!!
It has also given me food for thought...what talents and gifts do we all have that we might not even realise we have? What gifts and talents do those around us show, and do we tell them enough how great they are???
Gratefully yours.
xx
Thursday, 1 March 2012
My swans
What is it about swans? They are just so beautiful, so serene. It's the wonderful way they hold their heads, necks straight and tall. It's the amazingly white feathers...even when the water around them is brown with mud swept downstream!I just love my walk to work, along by the river. It doesn't matter what the weather is like. It doesn't matter what kind of mood I'm in. My spirits are just lifted as soon as I see my swans.
I love it when I see one of them flying. I always feel like it's a sign of something good. And the best thing is that when I see one flying, I usually see two or three of them flying! I'm always too busy watching them to ever take out my phone to take a picture though!
I know that people say swans look serene above the waterline, but below it they are paddling for all they are worth, but I don't know. They certainly seem to me to be very calm and relaxed. Just taking life as it comes. Showing us how it's done!
Today I am grateful that I get to see these wonderful, beautiful creatures on a regular basis.
They help me to stop for a moment and take a deep breath and be thankful.
Gratefully yours.
xx
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