Breathe deeply

Today was a nice relaxing Sunday.

Shopping, fairy cakes and lasagne.

Looking forward to Downton tonight, and a nice long sleep.

Looking forward even more to getting up early tomorrow and having a walk!! I hope to goodness it's not pouring rain!

And, best yet, a nice clear diary for the coming week! Only two mornings work and no late nights out!

Today I am grateful for the chance to breath deeply and recharge.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Two strikes

Well....it would appear that I have done it again!!!

No blog yesterday 28th September....I blame the shock of learning that not one, but both of my wonderful nieces are expecting on or around my Meggie's 10th birthday!

For that fact I am, of course, most grateful!

In all honesty though, I think the events of the last couple of weeks, and my debilitating cold (I'm still awaiting the sacks full of "get well soon" cards, by the way!!) have just drained me. I've been going to bed early and still not feeling awake enough to get up for my walk in the morning....and that, I think, is the problem.

So, I must get back into my early morning walks and hopefully get my energy flowing again. That will, I hope, then stop me from forgetting my blog!!!

Today I am grateful that my cold has now left the building, and I can get back to being grateful!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The will to live

You will all be pleased to hear that the worst is over! I was feeling much better today...yes, Mam, I should have taken your advice on the hot rum toddie sooner!!!

So today I am grateful that I no longer have a nose to rival that well known Reindeer that leads the sleigh driven by that well known jolly figure who will not be named at this point in the year, on pain of death!!!

Yes, I think it's safe to say that my will to live has returned and I actually enjoyed the day, warts and all.

That is not to say that it's not safer to have another hot rum toddie...well, better safe than sorry!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Feeling sorry

I'm glad I wasn't working today!

It gave me time to feel miserable and sorry for myself in my own house, getting in nobody's way! I had a stottin' headache and was stuffed up and coughing! Didn't move off my chair all morning...well, I couldn't! My head was thumping!! No sympathy, please! I can cope!

But, today I am most grateful that by "picking up the kids from school" time I was feeling a bit better and was able to carry out my motherly duties for the afternoon and evening.

Which was just as well, 'cos Wednesday seems to have become the new Tuesday! What with piano, Gaelic football, singing and brownies, and not forgetting homework and cooking the dinner, I'm niver af the heid o' the road!!!

Ah, the joys!!!

But, as I said, I am feeling better, thank goodness, and am planning a rum and milk toddie tonight...thanks Mam!!! (Any other toddie suggestions will be gratefully received and sampled over the next while, even if the cold clears up!!!)

Gratefully yours.
xx

Whisky galore

Today I am grateful for hot whisky!!!

I'm absolutely stuffed with the cold. Thought I was over the worst yesterday, but am really stuffed today.

So, I've just had a lovely hot whisky and I'm off to bed to sweat it off!!!

Any other suggestions for a quick and painless resolution will be gratefully received.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Give and take

Well, more like give and receive.

I'm sure I'm preaching to the converted here, but the old saying really is true...no matter how you choose to phrase it!

You reap what you sow. You get back what you put in. And then some!!

I'm stuffed with the cold (everybody say aaaw), I was at work all day (another aaaw) and I had choir in the evening, straight from work (anybody got a "poor soul" for me? No? I thought not!!).

At about 5pm I was seriously considering ditching choir practice because I was feeling lousy and tired, but, as I have to miss next week due to an open night at Thomas's intended secondary school, I thought I'd better go.

Well...after putting in a small amount of energy and effort to get myself there, I'm now feeling better than I have all day! Even if I was too croaky to hit any of the even vaguely high notes!! (Go, on then. One more aaaw! You know you want to!!)

Now if only I could bottle the feeling, and sniff it every time my will-power was low!!

Ah well...I've got you guys to remind me!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Easy does it

Thank goodness for a quiet day.

A day to take stock and re-group before returning to real life after our hiatus.

It really feels like we were lifted out of our real lives and put on the side-lines for a week. Now it's time to jump back into the game and hope we didn't miss too much.

So it was nice to just be at home today and get re-organised. It's amazing how much washing accumulates in a week. It's just as well I have two large clothes horses!!

The kids were both out with friends this afternoon, which was great for them, and K went out with his mam and sisters. I had thought that I might get a nice quiet seat, but what with Skyping, washing and cooking, not much chance of that!! But, d'you know what? It was great just to be doing ordinary household stuff>

So, today I am grateful to be back in the game!

And I really mean it! I am glad to be back to washing and cooking and shopping....ironing I'm not so sure about, so I'm not going there today!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The missing blog

OMG!!!

I can't believe I missed a day!!

I went up to lie and read with Meg last night at just after 8pm (the boys were out at a rugby match), and the next I knew was the boys coming in at after 10pm!

I'm so sorry!

Today, well, yesterday, I was grateful for a busy day at work.

Unusual for a Saturday, but the shop I was working in has a doctor's surgery very close by and he opens on a Saturday morning.

It meant that the day went quickly.

Once more, I apologise for my tardiness!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Sigh of relief

A was able to heave a huge sigh of relief today....

I was at the dentist this morning. I have been suffering very, VERY sensitive teeth on one side of my mouth for the last few weeks. I was absolutely sure that I needed, if not one, then at least two fillings!

Well, after x-raying both top and bottom, my dentist assured me that my teeth were absolutely perfect, in fact, that they would out-live me. He said that my bone level was excellent, meaning that I was nowhere near gum disease, and there was definitely no sign of a cavity next nor near my teeth!

Enter one huge sigh of relief!!!

Okay, so the bad news is I still don't know why I have the pain! But I'm so delighted that I don't need fillings that I will cross that bridge when next I come to it!!!

Today I am grateful that I have good genes!!!

Dad had "teeth like a horse" (which I have always assumed was a good thing!) and mam still has a great mouthful of her own teeth.

What more can I say!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Goodbye Tom

Today I am grateful that Tom got the send-off he deserved.

So many people came to pay their respects to a man that once met, will never be forgotten.

The day was sad, but was a celebration of the man that was Tom Joyce, and the legacy that he has left behind him.

I am grateful that I knew him.

Wherever he went, he left behind a smile.

Gratefully yours.
xx

You're never alone

I've been overwhelmed again by all the support being given to Kieran and his family.

I'm especially grateful today that my sister Susan and lovely Lawrie have come over to add their support.

But it is honestly amazing how many people have come to Nancy's house and to the funeral home to pay their last respects to Tom and give support to the family. And it really does support them, literally holding them upright when they want to give up.

I'll tell you, I will never feel awkward at a funeral again! Every hand-shake, every show of sympathy helps ease the way.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Support network

I've said it before, so I shall bore you all again!!!

Where would we be without friends and family?

The Irish wake is under way, and has, so far, been filled with both tears and laughter. The house has been full of friends and family. Some just passing through, and some lingering a while. All reminiscing and sharing happy memories of Tom. A true celebration of his life.

I think it has been good for the kids to see that death is part of life. It takes some of the fear and mystery out of death for them. It is not dark and frightening and scary. It is not something to be whispered about and never explained. It is a part of life that we must all face time and time again, and we should not have to hide from it.

Today I am grateful for the way today felt right.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Rest in peace

Kieran's Dad died this morning.

Today I am grateful that his last few hours were peaceful, and that Kieran, his Mam and two of his sisters were able to be there with him.

May he rest in peace.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Feet on the ground

Today I am grateful for the kids.

Whatever else is going on, they keep our feet on the ground.

Life goes on for them, just as it always does. Soccer matches, over at pals houses, making fairy cakes.

So I am grateful for the normality of having them around, forcing me to have a normal day and keeping me grounded.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Repeat that please

I've said it before, and I'll say it again....today I am grateful for a nice glass of ice-cold rose at the end of a difficult day!

Sometimes, when emotions are hard to handle, you just need to have a good cry...or a nice glass of ice-cold rose!

Meggie prefers a good cry! Even if, most of the time, she's not sure why she's crying!

I can quite easily manage both!

Life can be a bitch...or it can be a beach! It's up to us to make of it the best we can.

Cheers!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Hairdressing heaven

Today I am grateful for hairdressers - the actual place, as well as the girls!

Fancied a wee treat this morning as I'm a bit under the weather (big aaaw!!!). So, I phoned and got an appointment for a haircut.

I just love the whole experience: the coffee when you go in, the lovely smelling shampoo, the gorgeous scalp massage while they wash your hair, the brushing and drying! Total bliss!

And nothing else to worry about for the whole hour. Just enjoy the pampering!! I've even discovered that if you only give one word answers, the hairdresser gives up trying to talk to you!!!

I'm never totally happy with the end result (can dry it better myself at this stage!). But, it's not the destination that's important...it's the journey!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The butterfly effect

A couple of days ago, on one of the nice summery afternoons, a beautiful butterfly flew into the shop. The lady I was working with nearly lost her life! She was amazed when I said that I loved butterflies!

After I gently managed to persuade said butterfly to leave, we were speaking about our likes and hates in the insect kingdom. I admitted that while I loved butterflies, I really couldn't take to moths at all! Definitely the poor relations!

This morning, I was out walking, and at this stage, it is pretty much still dark when I go out, so I'm walking in the light of the street lights. I kept seeing these beautiful white butterflies dancing around the bushes like little ballerinas in pure white tu-tus. It took me a while to realise that they were, of course, moths!

So I must apologise to the moths for not looking beyond first appearances and seeing them for the beauties they really are.

Today I am grateful for the gentle reminder not to be judgemental, but to accept things the way they are.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Not just a pretty face

Wonderful walk

I had a wonderful walk this morning.

We walked to school (decided this year that petrol has gone far too expensive to be using the car for short runs) and then I just kept on walking.

I must have been about half way round when my Mindful Bell sounded, so as I walked, I really tried to experience everything around me.

How my feet felt against the pavement, the cool air on my arms, the warm, damp feel of the sweat on my back, the smell of lilac and honeysuckle from the bushes along the side of the walk, the sound of the birds, and the traffic rushing by on the main road.

And I smiled. If all there is is this moment, then life is wonderful. I really felt peaceful and happy.

Today I am grateful for taking the time to really be in the moment.

Note to self...remember to set Mindful Bell to start sounding from earlier in the morning. It doesn't usually go off when I'm walking 'cos I'm out too early!

Gratefully yours.
xx

A change of pace

Tuesday...the dreaded Tuesday!

New schedule though! And it looks like it will be a bit easier than last term!

Ballet is now not on till 5.30, giving both kids time to do homework (which is still going very well...yes, I know it's only been  a week!!), me time to make dinner, and K time to get home before I leave with Meggie, meaning that Thomas is a happy camper!

By the time we get home from ballet, Thomas has gone to soccer training, and as I am not usually needed for collecting from soccer, I'm done!!!

Ta da!!!

Tuesday is no longer the worst day of the week!!!

Today I am grateful for ever changing schedules!

They do say, a change is as good as a rest!! Well, almost!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

A choir of angels

I joined a choir tonight....and I do believe that I have found my spiritual home!!

The choir is connected to the music school where I have my singing lessons. In fact it was my teacher who suggested I might like to try it, when I told him I felt a bit lost about where I was going with my singing.

Well....what a choir! There are about eighty to a hundred people there, They were only formed a year or so ago, and have already performed in Poland! There was talk of entering some competitions next year, in Ireland and abroad! They are, in fact, a fabulous choir.

I really love all the harmonies involved in choral singing, and these guys do it well.

So, the question is, if I feel at home in such a great choir, full of great singers....why am I so nervous and scared about singing in front of people??? Strange!!!

Anyway, today I am grateful that I have finally found the creative outlet that I have needed for so long!

I am, as they say, a very happy camper tonight!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Home sweet home

My two babbies are asleep upstairs, and all is right with the world.

Meggie is home after her stint at Brownie Camp. Two whole nights away from home! That's all of, oh, about 6 hours sleep!

She was exhausted! Happy, but exhausted.

And, you know, it's funny, but I missed her usual non-stop chatter! I picked her up at lunch time, expecting a blow-by-blow account of the weekend...and she hardly said a word all the way home! Just too much effort to speak!

So, today I am glad that I have my wee family all back together again.

Mammy hen can sleep easy tonight!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The sweetest sound

I was out at work all day today.

Came home, had dinner, watched a couple of rubbishy films on the TV.

Then Meggie phoned from camp!

She was absolutely wired to the moon! They didn't sleep till the early hours of the morning, and, by the sounds of it, were out hiking in the woods most of the day!

She sounded wonderful! Full of energy and excitement!

I'm so glad she went and is having this experience.

But I miss her!!!

Today I am grateful for hearing her wee voice before I go to bed!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Baby blues

My baby's gone off to Brownie camp!!

Two nights away in a lovely converted stone cottage, at the edge of a forest, at the foot of a bunch of hills!

And, to get herself into the mood, she announced this morning that she wanted to walk home from school with "the girls" today, so I needn't bother going to the school at lunch time.

OMG!!! She's growing up!!! Stop the bus!!!

I really have to make the most of every minute, 'cos the time is coming, faster than I care to admit, when I will be surplus to requirements!!

Today I am grateful for the here and the now. I am grateful for my two babies, exactly as they are...warts and all!

Note to self....remember the above the next time Meggie starts arguing or Thomas starts being cheeky!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Mindful Bell

I downloaded the mindful bell onto my phone the other day.

It sounds once during every hour, not at the same time, which is good, because I can't use it to tell me the time!!

I absolutely love it! Every time I hear it, I just smile. It just reminds me to be grateful for whatever is going on around me at the time, whether I'm at work, at home, or out and about.

Today I am grateful for that little reminder.

I think it is really helping to make me a little bit more mindful, and aware of where I am and what I am doing.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Songs of praise

What did I say about back to routine???

What a rush this afternoon!

Pick up kids from school and cook a dinner while Thomas did his homework. Out the door just over half an hour later, to singing. Both of us are going on a Wednesday afternoon now, 'cos it makes more sense than driving out there twice. Meggie sat in one of the music rooms and did her homework, while Thomas and I sang our hearts out.

Thomas then did a quick change in the car (found out later that he seems to have left his shoes in the car park outside the music school!!) and I dropped him off at Robert's house on our way home. Robert's dad was waiting to take the boys to a soccer match, hence the need for dinner before the singing!

Home and dished up dinner for K and myself, then out the door with Meg for brownies...and back to collect her an hour later!!!

Today I am grateful for that half an hour of wonderful, heart-lifting, purely indulgent me-time that is my singing lesson!

I'm going to join their choir too!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Good 'nuf reason

I'm in work every day this week.

It's hectic!!

Today I am glad I'm only working half days!!!!!

I'm also very glad that I am only an employee. I can only imagine the stress the bosses have been under in the last while, trying to keep staff levels up to the necessary levels for a busy shop.Good enough reason for sticking with the part-time locum work!!!

So, work, stress and sore feet till 1pm...then home to the full time job! It's much less stressful!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

'ice to be back

Can I firstly say "thank you" for all the recent comments. I do appreciate the feedback. Can't believe I am still doing this after 8 months! Thank you for sticking with me!!!

I was back at work in Adare today. First time since before the "summer" break!

It's a lovely shop. One wall is almost completely glass, and in the afternoons, assuming there is any sun at all, it shines straight in, heating up the entire shop like a wee oven.

This afternoon was one such sunny one....well, it would be, the kids are back at school!

My assistant excused herself for a few minutes to go into the Centra next door. When she came back, she handed me a gorgeous looking soft ice-cream cone, complete with flake. Just what the doctor ordered!!

"I didn't ask you, because I knew you'd say no. But here's a treat for your first day back!"

Today I am grateful for thoughtful gestures.

And she was right...I would have said no! So I'm very glad she didn't ask!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Normal Norman

Here we are again. School is looming!

Thomas is back tomorrow for his first day, Meggie is looking forward to homework tomorrow!!!

At this stage (quarter to 10) Thomas is asleep and Meggie almost! Amazing! Mind you, Thomas played 18 holes of golf with K today in the Parent/child competition at the golf club! I'd say K will asleep fairly soon also!!!

I can feel normality and familiar routine setting in already!

And, of course, the weather forecast is showing only bright sunshine for the next week and a half!!! After summer holidays full of nothing but rain! Typical!!

Today I am grateful for life as we know it.

Don't get me wrong. I love the change of seasons too. But I do like my routine!!

Mind you....all the after-school activities will be starting up again soon too!!!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Not just for girls!

I had a great afternoon today....with my son!

I've spent a fair bit of one-on-one time with Meggie over the summer, for one reason or another. So, today I took the chance to spend some time with Thomas.

We lunched in Costa (his choice!)...you really must try their mushroom and emmental toasties. Delish!

We bought new trousers and new soccer boots and pre-ordered a new x-box game that he wants for his birthday.

We chatted and laughed....he even bought me a present!! Bless his cotton socks!

So, a girls day....but not a girls day! Just me and my boy!

Today I am grateful for my small boy. I love him to bits.

Gratefully yours.
xx