Work, work, work

Today I am grateful to have a job I love doing.

Sometimes it can be hectic, sometimes boringly quiet. Sometimes all I seem to do is fill prescriptions, and sometimes something comes up that needs time and energy and dedication to helping someone.

I had a bit of just about everything today. Quiet spells interspersed with busy, busy times - everyone seems to wait to come in the door at the same time, and all of a sudden the shop is packed, and they are all waiting for the pharmacist!

And I had the pleasure of a morning spent intermittently making phone calls to track down a supplier for an uncommon, but very necessary piece of equipment, for a sick baby.

Yes, it's days like this that make me remember why, all those years ago (about 34 since I chose my exam subjects to set me on the road!!), I decided that I wanted to be a pharmacist. It's all about helping people make the most of one of their biggest assets...their health.

I lose sight of that sometimes, but, like I said, not on days like this!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Where do I start

Where do I start today???

I realised this evening just how lucky I am.

I drove up to Dublin with Mam this morning to return her to her other daughters. I only get wee shotties at a time!

After depositing her at the airport, I was able to make a quick stop at Markies...as you do! It was, in fact, a very necessary visit, 'cos I had dressed for Spring, but it was the depths of Winter in Dublin! Freeeezing!!

I was fed and watered (well, tea-ed actually) by my in-laws, and then headed off to see Cirque Du Soleil with Kate. And it was fabulous!! I won't drag on about it, but it was fantastic!!!

Anyway, driving home after, in the pouring rain, I had time to go over the day, and realise just how lucky I am to be able to do all of these things without even a second thought!

So, today I am grateful that I am lucky enough to have this life!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Make the most of it

How often do we tell those close to us that we love them? How often do we show them?

How often do we stop to think about all the wonderful things they do for us?

More importantly, how often do we do something wonderful for them?

How often do we stop, think, and give thanks for them?

Three friends of mine have lost someone close to them this week. Send them a prayer.

I am grateful for all of you, and I love you all dearly.

Gratefully yours.

xx

Making the most of it

Today was the last full day I had to spend with Mam before she goes home. Unfortunately I have to work tomorrow!!!

So, today I am grateful that we made the most of our day!

We went to Nenagh to look round the shops. Nenagh is a small town about half an hour from Limerick, on the route to Dublin. It was by-passed years ago, so I have not been in the town for a long time. Thought it would be a good way to spend the morning.

However, we failed to take account of the Irish weather! We arrived in Nenagh, drove down the main street...and kept on trucking right back out of town! The rain was constant, and it was freezing cold...not conducive to a good morning's walking in town!

So we ended up in Costa (yet again) in the Crescent. Lovely.

Then, on the way home, we decided (okay, I decided) to head back out to Adare, where Mam had seen a lovely scarf, on our last visit.

It was home for a quick lunch before picking up the kids and heading off to Shannon for afternoon tea with the in-laws!

Nivir aff the heid o' the road!!!

Well, my mammy is only here for a short time, we have to make the most of every moment!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

On line - about time

Today I heard some wonderful news.

Marks and Spencer.ie has finally been launched.

For years it has bugged me that M&S would deliver to all sorts of countries that I won't even attempt to spell, but they would not deliver to Ireland! I even wrote to them about it, and got a waffley reply that didn't explain anything. If it wasn't for the fact that I love M&S, I would have boycotted them altogether!!!

Well, finally, they have launched a web-site for Ireland. I heard an advert for it on the radio this morning and I was so excited that I had to phone Mam to tell her! She doesn't seem to share my enthusiasm...neither does K, come to think of it!! Can't think why!!!

So, today I am grateful that I was able to happily browse my favourite shop online, knowing that if I wanted to order anything, they would deliver it straight to my door!

You see, it's not the fact that I can buy lots of lovely new clothes that I'm happy about...it's the knowledge that I can if I want to!!! (And I wonder why the kids don't like being told what they can and can't do!!!)

Gratefully yours.
xx

The best laugh

Today I am grateful for the biggest laugh I've had in ages!

My singing lessons are always full of fun. It's the best way, I guess, to relieve the tension of all the concentration! (It's blooming hard work!!!)

Well, today was no different.

I had been very pleased with myself after my warm-up scales, because my range is getting higher all the time. I think Owen (my teacher) deliberately gives me so much to concentrate on (shoulders down, breath into the sides, stomach muscles pulled in at the right moment, energy, smile!!!) so that I won't realise how high I am going! I get scared when I think I can't reach a note, and then, of course, I don't hit it 'cos the more I try, the more my throat closes!!

I have a new-found appreciation for the fabulous talents of my mam, sisters and nieces...I always knew they had great singing voices, but I didn't realise how hard it was to co-ordinate the body to produce the wonderful notes!!

Anyway...after my scales, we started into Nella Fantasia (my current song du jour). I was finding it harder than I expected, after my great performance with the warm-up, to reach the high note. It was there, but not with any real gusto. So, Owen said he would take it down to a slightly lower key. Now it was no bother. Better then ever. When I was finished, Owen admitted that he had started off in a higher key the first time, just to show me how easily I could sing it in the original key!!! The monkey!!!

Ah, well...it certainly confirmed that the fear really is all in my head! And I guess that goes for more than just singing!!!

As my two would say...hearts rule, heads drool!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Tick tock

Today I am grateful that everything is ticking along nicely.

My crocheting is coming on. In fact, I find it hard to put down once I pick it up...although I'm not sure if I'm able to crochet and drink tea and eat biscuits yet! Still too much concentration needed for the crocheting! I think for that very reason though, it is quite relaxing!

My new shoes are still comfy, and I am still walking in them! My bum does not seem to be affected, Linds, but my thighs definitely know that they've been for a walk!

I am still enjoying the company of my mammy. Time is ticking away, but we still have a few excursions planned for the next few days. (Mind you, if she buys any more she'll need a second suitcase to go home!!)

I think I'm still feeling the effects of my retreat, gosh, nearly two weeks ago. I'm sleeping better (thanks to my early mornings, I think!) and feeling generally more calm than of late...mind you, that could also be put down to having my mammy around!

Overall, happy and content with life at the moment...and grateful for it!

Gratefully yours.
xx

April showers

I'm sitting here listening to the rain battering down, yet again, on the sitootrie roof.

So today I am grateful that Mam and I managed to do quite a bit outside today without getting caught in the rain! And there were plenty of showers to catch us out!

The weather really has been amazing since Mam got here. Rain and clear blue skys wrestling with each other for superiority. One succeeding only for a few minutes before being expertly toppled and thrown out of the ring, by the other.

And yet we have managed to stay dry!

The rain nearly got me at lunch-time, collecting Meg from school, but it let me get to the shelter of the school arches before it really let loose with the hail stones. And again this evening...we managed a half hour walk, only to arrive back at the front door as the heavens opened!

Someone is looking after us...or maybe just Mam!! I am just lucky to be hangin' with her for a couple of weeks!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Peace treaty under negotiation

The first major battle of the day was fairly early on.

Thomas and Megan have a new PC game, which took far longer than is humane or decent to install. It was however, thanks to a brilliant Daddy-man, ready to go this morning.

About twenty minutes later it was switched off again, as Thomas had blown a fuse in frustration and was grounded in his bedroom.

Around the same time (unfortunately) Megan was asked to go up and tidy her room, as the early morning game the two had been playing upstairs had left her room looking like a hurricane of the highest magnitude (do hurricanes have magnitude, or is that earthquakes??) had hit it, and then come back around for a second go!!

Needless to say, she wasn't happy that she was the one who had to tidy, and Thomas, still in a bad-mood after being sent off the computer, was in no humour to help her. The battle was brief but bloody (well, there wasn't really any blood, but it sounds good!).

I stepped in as peacemaker... ie I grounded them both!!!

It was round about lunch time that I realised that peace talks had begun, without any outside intervention. A rota was being negotiated, peacefully, as regards future use of the aforementioned PC game. Now, granted, the rota does allow use of the computer, basically, every minute of the day they are not at school, and literally all day Saturday and Sunday, but the thought process was there, and they were working it out together!

So, I am grateful for the seeds of peace and friendship that were watered today.

And maybe, just maybe, I should try to stay out of the way and let them sort things out for themselves more often!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Just a little walk

Walking seems to have been on the agenda all over the place today!

Now I don't claim to be a power walker, a hill walker or even a 10mile walker(!) but I did manage to get in three walks today (not including walking round two different lots of shops!)!

The first one was an early morning solitary walk. It was clear and cold and the air smelt incredible. I could almost have believed that I was the only non-avian being on the planet. The birds really do love that time of day! I even spotted a heron, high up in it's tree, perched on one leg above the nest. Perhaps on baby-sitting duty!!

The second was a mother/daughter walk...with my mammy. We had to do a different walk tonight, because she is getting fed-up doing the same circuit every night! Thanks to all the walking she's been doing at home over the last few months, she seems years younger than she did this time last year! Maybe she really has started counting backwards!!!

And last, but not least, was a mother/daughter walk...with my Meggie. She likes to exercise her tongue at the same time as her legs, and it never halts all the way round! But her enthusiasm for life, as I said before, is amazing. Long may it, and her ability to say what she feels and stand up for herself, last!

Today, I am grateful that I have two legs in good working order. (And two new "sketchers - shape-ups" that are as comfy as slippers and will hopefully help tone up the bum and thighs as I walk!!!)

Gratefully yours.
xx

Life and sole!

Meditation

Never mind breathing meditation, walking meditation, or even sitting meditation. Move over boys, there's a new kid in town!

And his name is Crocheting!

Mam was in need of something to do with her hands...she's getting fed up with so much reading! So we headed into town to the wool shop. Exit two happy bunnies with big balls of wool and crochet hooks.

Now, I'm sure that in my youth (yes, I can still just about remember it!) I must have learnt how to crochet, and it did come back to me fairly easily today. But it really does need all my concentration!

One, two, three, single, one, two,three,single....

All I have to do now is co-ordinate my breathing with my stitches and I have it nailed!

My square!

So, today I am grateful for my new hobby...combining meditation with creativity!

Not sure what Thay would say to that one, but I'd like to see him crochet a square and worry about something else at the same time!!! Not gonna happen!

Gratefully yours.

xx

Sisters, sisters

Today I am grateful that I was blessed with not one, not two, but three wonderful big sisters.

I don't get to be with them often enough. But through the wonders of technology, I do get to speak to them, and even see them on Skype.

We kind of get to take turns with each other. If we don't meet one to one, then there is just so much hilarity that we really don't get any chance to chat to each other properly. (Mind you, even one to one can generate quite a lot of laughter!)

We are all very different, although I would like to think that we are very alike in a lot of ways too...maybe Mam is the one to answer that one!

I just know that I am very grateful to be related to such amazingly strong, warm and generous women.

Rock on, sisters!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

It aint easy

Why is it that things that are good for you are never easy?

I still love my singing lessons but it gets more and more complicated every week....breathe deeply into your abdomen, but it's your sides that should expand, not your stomach. Keep your shoulders down and don't let your chest rise with the breath. Tighten your stomach muscles for the higher notes, but don't let it pull in too far or you'll run out of breath!

Talk about a work out! Even my legs get stiff because I tense up, concentrating on everything else...mind you, when I'm concentrating so much on where my breath is supposed to be, I forget that I don't think I can hit the high notes, and out they come!!!

Then there's healthy eating...was at a talk this evening at Meggie's school.

It was very interesting, if a little bit frightening! But the thing is, it's all very well me knowing what is healthy and what is not, in the way of fats, carbs and proteins....but how on earth am I supposed to get the kids to eat it???
I mean, it's all very well saying that if Meggie ate x, y and z she'd be super-fit and healthy. But I can't even get her to eat a, b and c!!!

Today I am actually grateful that the lady who talked to the patents tonight is going to be speaking to the children over the next couple of weeks.

If Meggie won't listen to me, then she might at least take a wee bit more notice if someone else is saying the same thing! Or am I being too optimistic???

Gratefully yours.
xx

It's catching

Today I am grateful to know that positivity is catching.

It was a horrendous morning. Wind, driving rain, cold...typical April weather.

We arrived outside Thomas' school and dropped him off, as usual. Instead of driving on a bit nearer to Meggie's school, we had to park up and consider walking from there, because everyone else was also driving because of the foul weather, so the traffic was mental!

Anyway we duly got out of the car and began walking, trying to huddle together under my umbrella. Megan suddenly realised that she had forgotten to take her swimming gear with her from home! (Too busy chatting to Grandma about the fact she had her last swimming class today!!)

So, we had to head home, double time, knowing that we were cutting it very fine for getting to school on time.

Picture this...I drive up to the house, realising that I left the keys with Grandma so she could lock herself in while she had her shower! No panic. I have a back door key...only the side gate expands in the wet, so there was no way I could unlock the bolt to open the gate!

Thankfully, at this point, Grandma spotted the car out her bedroom window as she went to dry her hair!

The point of the story is this...

By the time we were in the car on the way back to school, we had come up, between us, with four reasons to be grateful we had to go home for swimming gear.

1.The traffic had eased, so we got parked closer to the school.
2. The rain had gone off (temporarily) so we could get to school without getting drowndid.
3. Meggie had missed at least 5 minutes of Irish (her least favorite subject).
4. She now had her swimming gear, so would not miss her last lesson!

Et voila! Like I said...it's catching. And instead of heading off to work totally hashed, I had a big smile on my face, and a positive vibe that lasted all day!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Me and my mammy

It's my turn to have The Mammy! And I have her all to myself (well, if you don't count Thomas and Megan and K - not that K is lavishing her with hugs and kisses the way the other two are!!).

We went out for coffee this morning, but it wasn't overly successful. We went to a wee garden centre nearby (the only one I know that has a cafe in it!) but it was rather chilly!!! We then did "the big shop" ie the food shop for the week. Highly exciting! Mam just loves pushing the trolley! After a lunch of gorgeous soup (cooked by the Mam herself...yes, I know I'm supposed to be looking after her!) I took her to get the kids from school but..it was FREEZING!

I did manage to thaw her out throughout the afternoon, but I better get my act together or I won't be allowed to have her back again!

Never mind...she'll be warm tomorrow...there's ironing to do! (Just don't tell my sisters, or I really won't be allowed to have her back again!!!)

Anyway....today I am grateful to have my mammy with me.

It may not sound like it, but I love the bones of her, and understand how lucky I am to still be able to spend time with her. And I honestly don't take advantage of her all the time!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Home sweet home

Today I am grateful to be back, safe and sound, in the bosie of my family - including my mammy!

I really enjoyed my retreat, and although half of me wished for more time there, as I was just starting to get really comfortable, the other half was glad to be heading home.

It has been strange re-integrating with "real life"! For one thing, eating a meal at home is a world away from eating mindfully! And for another thing...the only chamomile tea I could find in the house was out of date since December 2010!!!

There are so many things I have taken home with me though. I think it will take me some time to get my head around some of it...time to process all the information.

I am going to bed tonight, though, with the firm intention of getting up at 6.30 (yippee... a long lie!!) to give myself the chance to start the day with a smile, instead of in a rush and panic.

Sunrise in Killarney

Gratefully yours.
xx

Walking the walk

Today I am grateful that I have been lucky enough to hear and see Thich Nhat Hanh teach.

He is such a quiet, calm man, and yet his words are more than powerful. His talks have been inspirational because you can see that he really lives by what he is teaching. He radiates love and compassion, and it is impossible not to be touched by it.

It took me a while to settle into the retreat. After the first day, I wondered what I had let myself in for! (Mind you, it's hard to be enthusiastic about anything when you've not had enough sleep...hence the very early, and much needed, bed last night!) But now that it is nearly over, I want more time! I feel that with a bit more time I could get to talk to a few more people and gain more insight into how to move forward with the practice of Mindfulness. I really feel that it could be a powerful tool to navigate safely through life.

I do, of course, have a loving teacher closer to home...so watch out, Linds, I may be picking your brains real soon!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Early to rise

Today I am grateful that my room here is on the fourth floor of a beautiful hotel, and that my window faces east!

I am grateful that it is on the fourth floor because I have been avoiding the lift! Legs are really getting a good work out!

I am grateful that my window faces east because it was a lovely sight to wake up to this morning. Unfortunately, I was up and out before the sun had actually got up himself, but the sky was just lovely.

I have so much else to be grateful for today, after my first day on retreat, but with another 5.30am start ahead of me, I am going to leave the details till another time!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Journeys

Today I am grateful that I made it safely down to Killarney, to enjoy a 3 day Mindful Living retreat.

My journey down was very enjoyable. I had sunshine and showers all the way. I kept an eye out for rainbows, but, unfortunately, saw none. I did, however, spot a beautiful cherry blossom tree, in full bloom, at the entrance to the driveway of a small country cottage, a fabulous patch of blue-bells growing randomly at the side of the road, an amazing hill covered with at least two dozen wind turbines (tell me I am not the only one who finds the turbines absolutely beautiful!) and a round-about totally covered with bright red tulips!!

So now I am here, and my journey is just beginning!

Gratefully yours.
xx

A good night in

Today I am grateful for good friends, good wine and a good film!

The kids are at nanny's for a sleepover. K usually goes out every second Wednesday to play cards, so tonight, I was able to go too! Only the cards were cancelled, in favour of a good old fashioned movie night.

We all gathered at a friend's house...the perfect venue for a night out, as they have a dedicated bar in the house...it really is done up like a good, cosy pub! There was wine, beer, crisps and even popcorn!

The film was good, but the 5 minute interval (for interval, read toilet break!) was even more fun! I'm not very good at arguments, or even intelligent discussions, for that matter, but I do love to listen! Our gang are nothing if not inveterate debaters! It doesn't seem to matter what the topic is, they argue and debate it! So the film was turned inside out and upside down, and the discussion went off in every (in)conceivable tangent!

And, do you know what? It was good fun! It was a good night out-in!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Birthday bliss

It's easy to write my blog on days like today.

Today I am grateful to have such a precious little girl in my life.

Meggie was 9 today and as she got her "good night" cuddle, she said "Today has been the best birthday, ever! But even with all the lovely presents I got, my birthday would not have been good without you and Daddy and Thomas to share it with".

It just doesn't get any better than that!

It WAS a good birthday. We went to the cinema in the afternoon. Then into the toy shop to spend a little birthday money. Pizza for tea followed by a game of The Game of Life board game, which is excellent fun for all of us. And then, due to the very early start to the day(!!), a nice early(ish) bed, with Gorgeous giving her legs a nice massage for good measure!

There were no arguments or fall outs. The kids played by themselves all morning without a single fight, and even shared a bottle of fizzy on the way to the cinema.

All in all, an enchanted birthday for my little angel.

Like I said..it just doesn't get any better!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Peace and quiet

Today I am grateful that I got a couple of hours peace and quiet.

I got the house to myself this afternoon. K took the kids through to see the cousins at Nanny's.

It's the one thing that gets to me during school holidays...very little me time that is truly ME time!

I do try to see time spent with the bairns, I mean quality time spent with the bairns, as me time. But when it boils down to it...I really need time by myself to clear my head.

And I didn't waste my time either. I got the spare bedroom organised and ready to accept visitors...well, visitor! My mammy is coming very soon!!!

I am also very glad to announce at this stage, that the kids bedrooms are still tidy!!!!!!!!!

Now, if I could just get time to get stuck into the sitootrie!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Synchronicity

Today I am grateful for the wonders of synchronicity...let me explain.

A couple of weeks ago, I was trolling through the TV channels looking for something half decent to watch of a Saturday evening. A difficult, if not impossible task, you may think, but on this particular evening I came across a Cirque Du Soleil show on.

Now, I had, of course, heard of Cirque Du Soleil, and knew that they toured with their show, but I had never seen them before, and didn't realise that they televised them. Boy, was I in for a treat!

Over the last couple of weeks, I have recorded 6 different shows, and have been amazed by each and every one of them! The whole show...music, acrobatics, costumes...are all absolutely unbelievable.

Fast forward to this afternoon, after lunch out with my in-laws. What should come on TV but Cirque Du Soleil. Knowing that Dublin Denis is big into all sorts of music, I suggested we watch it, because the music in itself is fabulous. It then came to light that they were performing sometime in the future (Denis was a wee bit vague on details!) in Dublin.

I came home and checked on the internet, only to discover that their last show in Ireland is on the afternoon of the day I am taking Mum back up to Dublin airport after her holiday with us!

Synchronicity at it's finest!

When you open your mind to possibilities and think positive thoughts...good things will happen!!!

Needless to say....I bought a ticket!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Young at heart

Today was Megan's birthday bash.

We had a girls day. Just Meg, me and cousin Emily.

Lunch out. Shopping. Cinema. Shopping. Dinner out. And, best of all, Emily is sleeping over!

Is it bed-time yet??!!!

Their energy and ability to laugh and have fun is utterly amazing. And as for their ability to talk!!! All Ireland Talking Competition....look out! We have a winner! Just keep the pair of them away from the Blarney Stone, that's all I ask!

Seriously though...I have to admit to being a wee bit envious of their energy and, more especially, their joie de vivre. I seem to be lacking in both of the above, and it's not good!

So, I will have to do something about it! I need to laugh more, not take life so seriously. I am turning into an old fuddy-duddy, and I don't want to! Worse still...I think I might be turning into a wifie, and I always swore I would never be a wifie!!! Help!

So, fun things to do when you're nearly 50...on a postcard please...or better still, on a comment below!! Help me to lighten up a bit and get back some of what the two angels upstairs have in abundance.

Today I am grateful for a wonderful, eye-opening, girls day.

Now it really is time-for bed!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

A job well done

There really is nothing to match the feeling of satisfaction you get after completing a task. Especially a really hard task that you really, really, really didn't want to do!

Today the kids and I tidied the kids rooms!! Wa wa waaah!

Several bombs had hit over the last week or so and the devastation was total. I was led to believe that there should be a bed in each room. And Thomas was of the firm opinion that there had once been a floor in his room, with a carpet! He was not, however, able to hazard a guess as to the colour of said floor covering.

Megan's room had been totally taken over by a very rowdy bunch of stuffed animals. Some, though very well dressed, looked as if they had been at an all night party!

But, when the going gets tough, the tough tend to head for the door...but not today! Today we had a job to do, and by golly I was going to make sure we saw it through!

And boy, was it worth it!!!

By jove, there is a bed!

It's green! The carpet is green!

Thomas worked very hard to clear the top of his desk. He also cleared everything off the floor and put lots of clothes out to the charity shop. (I wish he would stop growing so fast!!)

He was really pleased with himself...as was I. He worked hard.

Squish up there guys!

She needs BIG cuddles!

Megan's big problem was finding a place for all her babies. She first had to clear up all her clothes and then all the surfaces in her room (of which there are many!). Once that was done, we were able to house most of the menagerie. Those left on her bed are the ones (she assures me) that she cuddles to get to sleep! What can I say...she loves her teddies!

So, like I said... a job well done! They were duly praised and were delighted to be able to show daddy when he came home. And, of course...they got hardly any help from mammy! Did it all themselves!!

Today I am grateful that I was there to help...in any way I could.

Gratefully yours.

xx

Na na na na!

Today I am grateful that the sun shone and made it look like summer, even if it didn't feel like it!

Seeing the sun out and clear blue skies can really fool you into believing that it is summer time and the living is easy!

It's only when you step outside the front door that you realise that it is still closer to winter than summer as far as the air around you is concerned!

And the thing is...the sun really is hot on your back, through all the layers you have had to put on to brave the air temperature! But step into the shade and you need every layer you've got!

Now Mags is, of course, experiencing the real thing!! But we will have no "na na n-na na!" from you Mags! Only good, positive vibes going back and fore! Send us the love, Mags!!!

We will get there....to summer, I mean. Not, unfortunately, the Cayman!

And for now, lets just be grateful for every new day, sunny or not, cold or hot. It's another chance...

Gratefully yours.
xx

Constants

Today I am grateful for the constants in my life.

Without the anchors to keep me grounded, who knows where I'd be??

I know that whatever else happens throughout the day the cat will want out as soon as we move in the morning; the kids will want their breakfast served up to them as they lounge in front of the telly; I will have a cup of tea before I can be civil to anyone else in the house.

I know that work will always be easier with a cup of coffee going cold on the bench beside me; ironing will always have reached the top of the basket before it gets done; Thomas will always have a full laundry bag stuffed in behind his door, and dirty socks stuffed under his bed!

I also know that there will always be a brief fight to get the kids to bed at night, and then lots of hugs and cuddles and kisses before they settle down. I know that I will go into their rooms every night before I go to bed for one last look and one last kiss before the day is done. (Until, of course, it gets to the stage where they stay out half the night, and I pretend to be asleep when they finally fall in the door!!!).

I know that these constants will not always be so...so for now, until they are replaced by new constants, I am grateful for them!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Memories

It's funny how things fall into place just when I think I'm stuck.

Only, maybe it's not funny...maybe it's synchronicity.

Anyway...I sat down tonight with no clue what to write about. I sat here for so long that the computer went to screen-saver. Now, I have my screen-saver set as photographs from my Cayman Holiday file...you can see where I'm going with this!!!

How wonderful it is to see some of those photos again, and to be transported back to a truly wonderful experience. The one that particularly made me smile was this one...

It really brought me right back. It says so much, about the place, but also about the feeling of the place. It reminds me of the fun we had, the excitement of all the new experiences, the beauty of the sea, the sand, the relaxation. The feelings of joy and wonder and love.

Today I am grateful for my memories, and the opportunities I have now to help make memories for Thomas and Megan.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Our house

When K and I were first engaged and starting to look for a house to make our home, we began by looking in the countryside around Limerick.

Having been brought up in a village location, I really liked the idea of a house, built for us, in the country. I didn't really want to live in the city. K was also brought up in a small town, but was aware that most of our friends lived in Limerick city. So we didn't want to be too far away.

However, after looking at various plots, and hundreds of house designs, I started to get cold feet. I wasn't sure that I wanted to be spending my days ferrying kids absolutely anywhere and everywhere they needed to go. And having to take a taxi any time we wanted to go for a night out.

So, we found this house. Right on the edge of the city. A compromise that has turned out to be the best decision we ever made.

Yes, I still have to take the kids to various things, but their pals are almost all within walking distance, and that makes all the difference.

They have spent all day again out in the back garden playing, and I just love seeing them out there enjoying themselves, with as many or as few friends as turn up!

So, I was right to listen to my feet! Some go with their heart, some with their heads.....I have to listen to my feet! Trust me to be different!

So, today I am grateful for my feet! The instruments of my instinct.

I never realised before that when K says my feet are hummin', he's only telling me that they are trying to tell me something....at least I hope he is!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

You know it's Sunday when...

K is on the golf course.

There's nothing to eat in the house.

Thomas asks if Fergus can come over.

I get 5 new comments from Linds....you go girl!!

Megan bakes banana muffins (recipe now passed on to Grandma. If anyone is planning a visit I'd make sure you makes some for you!)

I get to spend the afternoon watching the kids making up amazingly imaginative games in the back garden (oh no! That means it's a sunny day...not necessarily a Sunday!)

The kids are showered, so they smell gorgeous when they get their good-night hugs and kisses!

Sunday is for remembering what's important in life, and not sweating the small stuff.

So today I am grateful for my life...just as it is!

Gratefully yours.
xx