Autumn colour

Don't you just love the Autumn?

It was a lovely day today. Dry and bright enough, with not much wind and lots of chill factor! Just a perfect Autumn day.

The colours on the trees on my walk to work along the river are just stunning. It lifts the spirits.

Wouldn't it be great if we could all just tap into the inner, primal aspects of our being and really go with the flow of the seasons?

I think there is a lot to be grateful for at this time of year. It is a time to slow down and take stock. To slow down and take notice, of where we are now and where we are going. A time to start planning and dreaming - the plans and dreams that will keep us warm through the long, cosy winter months!

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to slow down and take a good look at myself and my life.

Gratefully yours.
xx

A good day

What a good day I've had!!

The clouds of the last few weeks are dissipating, and the general mood is brighter and calmer! Thanks be to the wee man upstairs!!! (No, I don't mean Thomas!!)

I got lots of bedroom tidying done today. Just took my time and mixed in plenty of wee breaks and a trip out to do a few bits. No biggy!

Nice, quiet afternoon. Meggie had piano, but that's only 3 doors up, and Thomas had choir at the school, which just needs a slightly later pick-up. Homework went well, dinner was tasty, dishwasher was emptied earlier so kitchen was tidied very quickly after dinner!! Result!

And then....choir!!

We are performing in the biggest, oldest cathedral in the city on Friday!!!!! I know I've only been going a few weeks, but we are all encouraged to go...so I'm going!! Can't wait!

We are singing 5 songs and they are all gorgeous. I have them all taped on my phone, so will be singing all week!!

So, today I am grateful for the good day. I enjoyed every minute.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Mrs Motivator

Why, oh why is motivation such a hard thing to come by???

Today I am grateful for visitors....without them my house would be a constant tip!!

K's mam was invited for Sunday lunch, so I spent the morning tidying and dusting (yes, I actually dusted!!!).

Now, it wasn't a hard slog, and I wasn't rushing around getting in a lather. It was just a nice calm go around, picking things up and putting them away, then giving a wee squirt and rub with a duster. It doesn't take long and it doesn't kill me, but the end result is lovely!!

This is what is so annoying, and so hard to fathom! I really do love a clean and tidy house, but trying to get motivated on any sort of regular basis is just impossible.

So, I say again, thank goodness for visitors!!

And, I mean, Mam is coming over in two weeks....what more motivation does a body need!!! My house won't know what's happening over the next two weeks!!!! (Nor will the kids!! Their rooms are only half done, so the whip will be coming out!!!)

All I can say is, thank goodness I know when to expect Mam...the day she starts surprise visits I'll be in trouble!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Satunday

Today I am grateful that it is only Saturday!!

I'm so used, these days, to working on a Saturday, that it's felt like Sunday all day today......so I get to do it all again tomorrow!!!

Only problem is, there will be no Strictly tomorrow!            :(   - that's a sad face!!

Ah well, I'll get over it!

Gratefully yours.
xx

That time of year.

There really is only one thing to be grateful for today...

...sequins and dresses and music and fake tan and Craig and Len and the whole kit and caboodle!!

Yes, today I am grateful for the return of Strictly.

I think, apart from all of the above, I love Strictly because it's one of the few things on the telly these days (hark at Old Mother Hubbard here!!) that we can sit and enjoy as a family! Usually with the telly it's them or us, so it's nice to be able to enjoy it together.

So, let the competition begin!!
Bring it on!!!

Gratefully yours.
x x

Autumn mist

Mist rising up from the river

Leaves change to orange and red

Sun shining low in the misty glow

And summer flowers all but dead

The key now is guessing just what to wear

when weather can change just like that

It's handy to know that wherever you go

you need brolly, sunglasses and hat

Autumn is slow but not sleepy

It's taking the time to take stock

It's gathering nuts, not stuck on our butts

So that winter is not such a shock

So with mist rising up from the river

and the trees showing off their best side

I am ready to face the next stage of the race

and am taking the change in my stride.

Autumn - by Megan Joyce

Getting it done

Don't get me wrong now...I didn't do a whole heck of a lot today, but I did get some stuff done!!

It's great to be feeling better and have some energy to do anything!

Today I am grateful for the health that I really do take for granted!

When you have your health, anything is possible. The sky's the limit and you can go just as far as your energy will take you...which in my case was into town for a bit of shopping!!!

Now, however, it's time for bed! Thank goodness!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

That loving feeling

Firstly, let me assure you all that I am still alive and kicking!

Thankfully my bug was a 24hour one, and I am feeling much more like myself today.

Today I am grateful that 20 years ago today I met the love of my life, and managed, somehow, to convince him that I was the love of his life too!!!

20 years!!! That's a long time!

And he still surprises me all the time! I came home to a lovely bouquet of flowers and a card today to mark the occasion! And I was too busy feeling sorry for myself to even remember what day it was!!!

I really am one lucky lady, and I have someone amazing to be grateful for every single day.

Gratefully yours.
xx

sick as a dog

Sorry, this is a quicky!

Today I am grateful to have got through the day.

I have a tummy bug which just totally wiped me out. Been asleep almost all day.

Couldn't miss another blog though!! Thank goodness for smart phones!!!

Gratefully yours.
XX

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

Family

I keep coming back to family.

I'm sitting here, going over the day, trying to decide what to write about tonight, and I keep coming back to family.

It's at times like these, when illness rears it's ugly head, that you can really see the family unit at work. All supporting each other, closing ranks and working together as one unit, for the benefit of each other.

It's at times like these that you know that you really are not alone. There is always someone you can turn to.

Today I am grateful for my own wonderful family. And, on K's behalf, for his wonderful family too.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Normality

Normality seems to be setting in.

Packed lunches, waking the kids three times to get them up and dressed, trying to remember to take something out of the deep-freeze for tea, walking along by the river on the way to work.

Of course, Thomas doesn't go back to school till Monday, but Meggie was back today, and seemed to enjoy it. I certainly enjoyed my walk in to work. And both of them are tired tonight after their early start! (I must admit, I'm a bit tired myself!!)

Time to tweak the routine, I guess. Iron out all the niggley bits that seem to creep in and become habit on the run up to summer holidays.

Aul' claise and porridge....comforting!

Today I am grateful for life's little comforts.

Not so sure about all this "breaking out of your comfort zone" malarkey! There is something to be said for being comfy and cosy...as long as you remember not to take it all for granted!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Two of the best

Today I am grateful for two wonderful women of my acquaintance, who are celebrating their birthdays today.

One is my sister.
She is full of compassion, joy and wisdom. She is kind and generous, and I love her dearly.

The other has been a friend of my family for, I guess, at least 30years, since she worked in the shop with my dad. She's one of the family.
She too is full of compassion, and she simply radiates joy and fun. It is impossible to feel down around her.

Neither one has had an easy ride through life, but they both have the ability to enjoy the moment, and help those around them to do the same.

They are simply both Earth Angels, and I find them both to be a true inspiration in my life. Just sitting writing this, I am smiling as I think about them....got that warm fuzzy feeling! (No, I haven't been on the brandy!!)

Lindsay and Judy...I love you both. Happy Birthday!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Pick 'n' mix

Where would we be without a good old pick 'n' mix for tea??

It used to be called salad, but the kids re-named it! They love being able to help themselves to what they want...which, for Megan, means just tuna and pasta!!

Still, it's the feeling of being in control, I guess!

Sure, don't we all like to think that we have some control over what goes on in our lives?

But, unfortunately, that's not always the case. Sometimes life throws you completely off balance and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

I guess that's when going with the flow comes in handy. Trusting that if you can just hang in there, making the most of every moment you have, balance will be restored eventually. Accepting that what you have is what you have, and not spending all your precious time wishing that things were different.

Today I am grateful for pick 'n' mix dinners.

Maybe I should try letting the kids dish up their own dinners more often.

Or maybe I should be teaching them to take whatever life throws at them, and make the most of it!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

3 more sleeps

The count down is on...3 more sleeps till Megan goes back to school!!

So, the next few days will be spent making the most of it!!!

We went to Costa for coffee this morning, and did a wee bit of shopping. You know the kind of stuff...Man U jersey, Top Model designer drawing set (complete with clothes-shaped stencils and stickers no less!), new bed-linen...well, we've been doing up Thomas's room since January!!! (Long story!)

Then, in the afternoon we went to the cinema. At this stage I think I've nearly reached my limit of how many cartoons and Gen-rated films I can watch!!!

But we had a good day doing "stuff" together, and that's the main thing!

Time really does go by too fast! Blink and you miss it!!

Today I am grateful for this time.

My babbies won't be babbies for too much longer....and then...well, lets not go there just yet!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The calm before the storm

K and I had a lovely quiet day.

We slept late....well so would you after the late night we had!!!

We ate a leisurely breakfast, well brunch really, and passed most of the day in quiet contemplation of the joys of life.

Okay, okay......we did the normal, every-Sunday kind of stuff, only with no kids! It was so quiet! No arguments, no shouting, no stamping feet, no cuddles and giggles.....

I guess I have to admit to having missed them this weekend!

They seem to have enjoyed themselves without us though! Did lots of fun stuff and, I have no doubt, didn't stop talking the whole weekend!

Today I am grateful for the calm...and the storm! Without one, how can we appreciate the other???

Gratefully yours.
xx

Birthday cake

Tonight I have no problem with what to be grateful for.....

We had dinner out with our group of friends to celebrate a 50th birthday.

What a laugh!!

I am the quiet one of the group (no, seriously!!!). Even after nearly 20 years (OMG!!!) I still just love to sit and listen and let the conversations and debates and arguments go on round about me.

And what a fabulous way to unwind and relax. We are all so comfortable with each other at this stage that nights out in this company are better than any weekend away in any spa!!! (I do believe that all the champagne helps too!!)

As I sit writing this, I can feel the vibrations building up to sing-song proportions. Thank goodness Jim lives in a detached house!!! (Yes, I have commandeered Jim's computer to make sure this does get written tonight!!!)

So, today I am grateful for fabulous friends. The best in my life. And I truly believe that I am a better person for knowing them.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Dinner for two

The kids have gone to Dublin for the weekend.

Oh, my gosh, the house is quiet!!

And tidy!!

And yes, I miss them already!

It is nice, though, to be able to sit down to a lovely steak dinner, and a glass or two of fine red wine, followed by biscuits and cheese....just the two of us!

Far nicer than going out to dinner! Am I getting old???

We are out tomorrow night, and you can bet that by this time tomorrow I will be so stuffed I will be uncomfortable, and I won't sleep a wink!

I know, I know! Don't eat too much, and don't drink too much wine, and I'll be fine!!! Still nicer to be at home!!!

Today I am grateful for a quiet night in...a deux!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Kitchen chaos

Much as I hate doing dishes, I love seeing a clean, tidy kitchen.

Now, I know, I have a dishwasher (no, I don't mean Kieran!!) but all the wee fiddly bits, like plastic cups and yoghurt pots still need to be washed by hand. And in the summer we have no hot water, other than our shower, 'cos our stupid boiler won't just heat the water!! So, clearing the bits and pieces also involves boiling the kettle!

Moan, moan, moan!!! Isn't this blog supposed to be about positivity???

Yes!

Today I am grateful that all the bits and pieces are washed and my surfaces are clear and clean!

And it does give you (well, me anyway!) a sense of achievement!

I've just realised that this gives the impression that having dishes done and surfaces clear is a strange new experience in this house....not so!!!

It's just that I'd just finished doing it when I sat down to write this, so it was fresh in my mind....honest!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The sky's the limit

Today I am grateful for Sky movies.

My ironing basket was reaching for the roof again. The shirts seem to have been multiplying again!

There was nothing else for it. The ironing had to be done.

So, on went sky movies.

It's amazing how much ironing can be done in the space of a decent film!!!

That's it!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The tooth fairy

Today I am grateful that we are not expecting a visit from the tooth fairy in the next while!

The kids were both at the dentist today, and, thank goodness, they were both sent away with a pat on the back!

I thought we may have problems because Meggie's baby teeth don't seem to want to fall out. Her big teeth come in, but the babies hang on for dear life, so the big teeth seem to be out of line completely, coming in behind, of in front of the babies.

But, the dentist is quite happy that everything is going according to plan. He has this great x-ray machine that shows instantly on the computer screen, so we were able to see all her teeth, most of which will take a few years to put in an appearance! He mumbo-jumboed a bit, but on the whole, I took it that he is quite happy the way things are progressing. Meggie, of course, was delighted!

Thomas got checked out too, just to be on the safe side, and he also got the all-clear!

Now if only I could expect as much when I finally get an appointment with my own dentist!!! I've had nothing done, other than a regular clean, since I moved to Ireland 17 years ago....but I think my time may be running out!!! Talk about sensitivity!!!

Oh well....for today I can be grateful not to be expecting the tooth fairy! I wonder what the going rate for a 40year old tooth is??? And, before you say it (yes, I know you lot!!!) the tooth isn't as old as me, remember!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The wonder of veg

Megan is growing her own veg!

Now, whether she will actually eat any of it, we will have to wait and see....but she is growing it none the less!

So far we have sweetcorn, which grew very well in the pot, but is not thriving in a grow-bag! We have beans that really are of the Jack and the Beanstalk variety. They have just been planted out with a nice teepee of bamboo to hold them up. So far, so good. The peas are still in the pot at the moment but are looking healthy.

I think Meg thought that if wee Aya could do it, then she'd better give it a go too!

In fairness to her, she has been on at me for a few years to dig a bit of garden for her to use. Well, I didn't exactly dig her a bit, but I did get a couple of grow-bags....so here's hoping!!!

And you never know....I may get bitten by the bug too, if the plants actually produce anything worth eating!!!

Today I am grateful for small dreams...who knows how big they can grow!!

And, boy, are they worth tending!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Once upon a cuddle...

...there were two small people, called Dudley and Noddy.

They liked nothing better than climbing into bed with their mammy for morning cuddles. The best game was trying to do it without waking her up in the process!! (Like that was going to happen!!!)

Once in the bed, they would wrap their small limbs around their mam, and tangle tiny fingers in her hair.

Of course, the cuddle usually escalated into some sort of hilarity, and most certainly always ended in the mammy being completely awake!!

I know this story to be true....I was that mammy!!!!!

Today I am grateful for morning cuddles, even if I had hoped for a nice, long, peaceful lie-in!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Pizza night

Today, after three long days of work on the trot (aaaw, poor me!!), I am grateful for pizza and beer...well, if you ignore the fact that the beer just fills me with gas and gives me a headache!!! It was good at the time!!!

I have spent the evening with my feet up watching two films...well, how else would you spend a Saturday night??? Answers on a postcard please!!!

I am now going to have a glass of water and two nurofen, and go to my bed.

I am not getting up at 6 o'clock tomorrow...in fact, I am not going to set my alarm at all! So there!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

A Mars a day...

Do you know what??? It's just dawned on me.....

I'm not eating enough Mars Bars!!!

No wonder I come home from work, exhausted, and have no energy left for playing! The "rest" part I can manage!!!

I have been putting it down to not being as young as I used to be. Or hormones. Or kids. But all the time, I've just not been eating enough Mars Bars!

Well, that's a weight off my mind!

The next time I see you, I'll be full of energy....I may look like a beached whale, but I will be full of energy!!!

Thank Crunchie it's Friday!!!

Today I am grateful for my sense of humour!!!

Where would we be without one!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Afternoon delight

I've decided that the best bit of the day, when I'm working, is the afternoon.

The morning is too hectic....especially when you're short staffed!

Lunch-time is even worse, coping with even less staff as they stagger their lunches. And when do I get to eat???

But in the afternoon it all settles down. The customers go home to put their feet up...I mean, who wants to be trudging round town doing shopping when you can be at home with Countdown or Deal! And I get a chance to catch my breath, clear the decks and get some paper-work done! Heaven! (Well, almost!!!)

So, today I am grateful for breathing space.

A few nice, slow, deep breaths really do do you the world of good!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Mini-me

With Thomas off at sailing camp, Meggie and I have been spending a lot of quality time together this week.

I've really enjoyed her company!

We have our moments. She is not a brooder, that's for sure. And she doesn't believe in not saying what she thinks. Now, at times that can lead, as I'm sure you can imagine, to raised tempers all around. But on the positive side, it's done and dusted, and forgotten about, very quickly too.

But these last few days together have been great. We have baked, walked, shopped, coffeed and chatted. We have done some craft work and taken lots of photos between us. And it has been wonderful.

She has also been very creatively busy herself, designing a pair of shoes! She bought white ones, but just look at them now.......

All things bright and beautiful!

So, today I am grateful for my darling daughter. I am just so proud of her and love her to bits.

Phone up somebody you love and tell them just how much you love them!! Do it now!!!

Gratefully yours.

xx

You did what??

I went to pick up the boys (Thomas and Fergus) from sailing camp this afternoon, and was met with the immortal words "We got a prize for being the boys who spent most time in the water, underneath the boat! Thomas nearly drowned four times!!"

Thanks, guys. I really needed to hear that!

It didn't seem to have dampened their enthusiasm any though! They were both high as kites...on an adrenaline rush, I guess!! Although Thomas nearly fell asleep in the car going home!

Now, it appears that they will not be on the water much tomorrow, as the forecast is for very high winds...not good sailing weather!

So, today I am grateful for small mercies!!!

Mind you, their alternative activity for the day is tight-rope walking about 50feet off the ground, and abseiling!!!

Yikes!!!!!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Weather girl

Today I am grateful that the weather people got it wrong...again!!!

Forecast was for rain, rain and more rain. Now, we did get a bit, but not enough to fill an egg-cup!

Thomas started a week-long sailing camp today, and I was disappointed when I saw the weather report. But, as I said...it was wrong! He did, of course, get wet anyway....but in a good fun way!

I was also dreading poor Meg being stuck inside all week on her own while Thomas was away...again, I needn't have! She spent all afternoon and half of the evening outside with the girls, in the sunshine!

The moral of the story is, don't believe everything you read!! The weather girl is only human after all!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Intermittent

Today I am grateful that the rain was only intermittent....fairly heavy, but intermittent!

It was lovely and warm, and the day started well, but the rain clouds were never far away.

But at least the kids got time to play outside. The showers were "dingin' doon" but were not lasting for long enough to keep them indoors.

Looks like we're going to be stuck with it for another week or so, but at least we are promised some warmth with it.

I'm just glad I'm not a farmer, or a gardener, or a builder, or a street sweeper.....you get the picture!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Time, gentlemen, please

We are off out to a party tonight. One of our neighbours is having a 50th birthday party in the local rowing club.

The kids are off through to Auntie Tina's for the night....not to be collected till lunch-time tomorrow!! They spent the afternoon at Fergus's!

So, I went off upstairs and varnished my fingers and my toes...as you do! Then, being that you can't really do anything for at least an hour when you have varnish on, I lay down on the bed just to pass the time.

Well...you can guess, I'm sure, that I fell asleep and had a lovely 40 winks!

So, today I am grateful for the gift of time.

Just a few stolen minutes to recharge the batteries!

Must put on varnish more often!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

A great(ful) day

I have a lot to be grateful for today.

Summer arrived in Ireland yesterday, and has spent today making up for lost time!! It was a scorcher!

But I started the day off in the best possible way...I took my camera with me when I went out for my early walk!

And , boy, did I enjoy it!!

Early morning in Limerick City

As you can see, I was not alone on my walk. I had plenty of company!

So, today I am grateful for good starts!

The only way to start the day, and a guarantee of a good, positive mood to last (almost!) the whole day!

I enjoyed two further walks with Megan, lunch at Costa (with Megan!! Thomas was out for the afternoon with his best pal, Fergus), a water fight in the back garden in which I definitely came off worst, and a great idea for birthday cards, which involved more photography!!!

Gratefully yours.

xx

Googleiscious

Today I am grateful to the boys and girls at Google, who have made me smile every day for the last nearly two weeks with their daily Google Doodles of the Olympics!!

Some of them have even been interactive, giving you the chance to at least pretend you are an Olympic champion!

Have any of you noticed them???

I guess with coming here every day (my home page is Google!!!), I couldn't help but notice them.

Anyway, my thanks go out to all involved, and I hope they do get some recognition, 'cos it's been great fun!!

What about Usaine Bolt though????? Brilliant!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Perseverance

I'm actually quite proud of myself.

I have discovered over the last 217 days that I am able to stick at something, create a good habit.

And thanks, in part to this blog, I am also sticking (far longer than I thought I would) to my good habit of walking every morning.

For a while there I fell into just really strolling around...during and just after my holidays, I guess, but I'm back to good, fast, energetic walking again, and, I have to say, thoroughly enjoying it.

So there we have two good habits!!! So how easy should it be to form, and stick to, more???

It really is good to have that realisation, that I can decide to do something, and do it.

I think I'm accepting, also, that even though it may not always be easy, or enjoyable, that doesn't mean it's not good. I guess I should have known anyway that nothing worth having/doing is going to come easy. No pain, no gain!!!

So, today I am grateful for perseverance.

It may have taken me a while to recognise it...but it's good to know that I can harness it!!

Gratefully yours,
xx

A biscuit by any other name...

...would still not be a Rich Tea!!!

I don't care what you say, nothing beats a Rich Tea biscuit when you're having a wee cuppa and are trying to eat more healthily!

Okay, I can hear some of you saying that if I was eating more healthily, that I shouldn't be having a biccy at all. But, come on!!! A little compassion here!!

We are all trying to show our support for the Daddy man, by cutting out the sweets and treats....well, cutting them down, anyway. My weekly shopping bill is reducing, and so, I hope, is my waistline. The kids are eating more fruit and yogurts, and have more of an appetite for their dinner.

Win-win, I hear you say.....except that I don't feel like a winner...I feel like a raving lunatic, craving chocolate, crisps, cheese....you name it really!!!

But, today I am grateful for my health. When I get desperate, I can just remind myself that I have a choice here! I am lucky!

So, it's back to the Rich Tea's...and no more than two!!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Keeping my options open

I've been reading a very interesting motivational book.

It takes the view that, instead of listening to the nice, kind, loving internal voice - you know, the one that tells you that you're wonderful just the way you are, and one chocolate isn't going to hurt - we should listen to the one that tells you that you are a lazy slob, and you should get of your backside and do something about it!!!

And, you know, I think it might be right!

If you think about it, what is going to get you riled up and motivated to do something...someone telling you you don't really need to, or someone suggesting that you couldn't do it anyway??

The book is actually about running, which I'm not sure I want to do, but I like her way of thinking!

Maybe it's time to give the namby-pamby, gently does it approach to motivation a rest, and cultivate my inner bitch!

After all, life is not really meant to be a spectator sport!!!

Today I am grateful for options!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The important stuff

Today was a day for doing the important stuff.

Meggie and I spent a lot of "girl time" together.

First of all we coffeed. Then we shopped. The tongues (well, Meggie's anyway!) never halted.

No other jobs to do. No boys to interrupt and disrupt. No distractions.

In the evening then, we went off to the cinema together, and had a good cry at the sad bit just before the end.

We came home and jamma-ed and snuggled on the couch with a DVD.

Today I am grateful for making time for the important stuff. These days won't last forever.

Gratefully yours.
xx

First or last

Today I am glad it is only Saturday!

I thought for a minute there that it was Sunday. And it would have been a shame to have missed it!!!

It doesn't matter how much (or how little) I've done during the week, Sunday is a day for relaxing. Even if I'm doing stuff, it seems to be less hurried and less essential!

I'm not sure is it winding down at the end of the week, or taking a deep breath to start the next week in a calm and mindful way.

Either way, I'm glad I didn't blink and miss it!!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

More choices

I'm on a roll here!!

Been thinking about the choices we make today.

I think that half the time we don't realise that we have a choice, let alone that we are making one!

We have the freedom of choice over so many things. What we do. What we say. What we think. What we eat. How we treat our bodies. How we treat others. How we treat our planet.

And I think that acknowledging that should help us to be more aware of the choices we are making, and help us to make more compassionate and loving choices.

We need to remember to be compassionate and loving towards ourselves, as well as everyone around us, and, I think, that most of the time, most of us, forget that!

Today I am grateful for the freedom that this knowledge has given me!

Now, the real challenge is remembering that I do have a choice!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

A matter of choice

I yearn for the "olden days" when you had to take what you got!!

I went into three different phone shops today, looking for a protective cover for my new phone. (Did I mention that I have a new phone??) The choice was limited....one black leather cover that looked like a man's wallet!!!

But, we live in a modern, technologically advanced age...so, I came home and went onto Amazon!!

Six hours later, I have gone totally cross eyed and my brain is fried with the choice!!! I have been scrolling through nearly 5000 options...and that was just for my specific make and model of phone!!!!!!

The black man's wallet is looking more and more appealing!

How do I choose???

Today I am grateful for the freedom of choice...and if it's my choice to not make a decision tonight, then so be it!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

New phone

Okay, I know Mam got her new chair today...cool! But I got a new phone!

It's a smart phone...which meant that I had to wait for Thomas and Megan to come home to show me how to use it!!!

It does all sorts of great stuff, which I will, given a few more lessons from my children, be able to master!

I should be able to go on Facebook whenever I want. I should also be able to do my blog, if I felt so inclined, on it! I will be able to take more wonderful photos and up or download them whenever and wherever I please.

And, amazingly, I should, given practice, be able to text and phone people on it!!! Who'd a thunk it???

Today I am grateful to be in a position to go out and buy such a wonderfully useful gadget just like that.

It's stuff like that that we tend to take for granted, so I am trying to be more aware!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Lucky

Today is Gorgeous's birthday...well, the anniversary of the day she came to stay with us.

We've had her for two years now! And she is completely and totally part of the family.

Today I am grateful for finding the wee kitten, that Meggie and I named Lucky, in our garden, two years ago.

If it wasn't for Lucky then we probably wouldn't have Gorgeous here now.

Meg and I found Lucky in the garden, being bothered by the magpies, a couple of days after we came home from visiting Mags in the Cayman. We gathered her up in a tea-towel and took her to the vet. Unfortunately, she was very sick, and I had to make the decision to have her put to sleep (with Meggie holding my hand!!!).

So, there was no getting away from it...we just had to get a cat!!! Fate!!

So, thank you, Lucky.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Happy Birthday Gorgeous girl!

The eternal student

Made scones for K today. And I have finally mastered it! Thanks to my on-going Home Ec lessons from my mammy!!

I now know to sift the flour and rub in the butter from a height, to add air to the mixture. I know to mix in the milk and banana (adds some sweetness - yum!) with a knife, not my hands, to avoid knocking out the air!! I also know to handle as little as possible and cut with a scone cutter for the perfect, light and soft scones!

So, today I (and K!!) am grateful for my ancestors, near and far.

Mam learnt the craft of baking from dad's dad!!!

It's actually quite amazing if you stop and think about where you learn stuff from!!! Reminds you where you have come from, and gives you some idea of where you are going!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Something in the air

Today I am grateful for the air I breathe.

Sometimes it can be too warm and stuffy. Occasionally full of the smells of the country - silage or dung! Sometimes, if I am very lucky, it can waft in with the smell of the sea, fresh and clean.

It can be cold and sharp, or thick and musty. It can be downright damp.

But where would we be without it?? And as long as we have air to breath, we are alive.

I breathe in...I am alive. I breathe out...I am home.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Off the rails

I've been feeling a little bit derailed of late.

Well, maybe not so much off the rails, but certainly stuck in a siding, uninspired and a bit disillusioned.

But, while out walking this morning I was given a timely reminder about the peace and joy to be found in living mindfully.

I was marching along, head down, thinking about something decidedly negative. I had to look up as I crossed a road, and there was a glorious, full, beautifully bright rainbow, sitting snugly over Ashbrook!

Pow!!!

Now, the downside, of course, was that it meant I was heading into the rain.....but even that didn't dampen my new-found spirit. The rain was soft and light, and it just splashed my face like an extra wee wake-up call.

So, today I am grateful, very grateful, for timely reminders.

It's time to get back on track!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

A woman's lot

Today I am grateful that I married a man!!

I wish the menopause would hurry up and be the meno-stop!!! I'm fed up of it!

But, much as I hate the mood swings, the overheating and the periods that you thought were over.....I'm glad I don't have to put up with the one I love going through it!!!!!

And dread the thought that I may still be going through it when Meggie reaches puberty! Can you just imagine the life poor K and Thomas would have then!! It may force Thomas to go into the priesthood!

With that happy thought I will leave you for tonight!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Rainbows

Don't you just love rainbows?? Specially when there is no rain! How good is that!!!

I have a crystal hanging in the window of my utility room (among other places!!) and when the sun shines in, late afternoon or early evening, the whole room is covered with rainbows.

It's the one time I can go in there and not see the two clothes horses full of damp clothes, the ironing basket that needs emptied (again!) , or the cat's litter tray at the back door!!!

And it always, but always, makes me smile.

Today I am grateful for rainless rainbows. Just as stunning, but without the down-side!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Peace and quiet

The thing I find most difficult during school holidays is the lack of peace and quiet in the house!

So, today, I am grateful for the few hours I get in the morning before the kids are up and about.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love and adore my bairns, and I admire their energy and zest for life....but I need a bit of peace and quiet every now and then!!

So it's just as well I'm keeping to my early morning habit over the summer. I get my walk and my quiet cuppa (or two!). I even manage, usually, to have my breakfast in peace...but after that! Forget it!!!

And if it's not my two, it's a hoard of pals, traipsing in and out.....mind you, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Anyway, I'm off to bed now, looking forward to my peace and quiet in the morning!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

It has it's uses

Today I am grateful for the rain!

No, I've not finally cracked...hear me out on this...

The last couple of days have been dead. No breath of air, just heavy, stale, warm air covering me like a thick duvet on a warm summer night. So by lunch-time today I had the stonkingest of stonking headaches. One of those don't move your head at all or it'll explode type headaches...and I forgot to buy Syndol when I was home, because, thanks to the lovely fresh North Sea air, I had no headaches when I was home!!!

Anyway, mid-afternoon brought the rain with it...gentle pitter-patters at first, leading very swiftly on to paddling-pool in the street in front of us type downpouring for the rest of the day!!!

But, oh, the difference in the air is palpable. It's fresh and cool again...okay, it's too wet to actually go outside to breathe any of it...but even to know it's there, my head feels better!!!

So, here's to the rain....I knew it had to be good for something!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Rainy days and Mondays

Today I am eternally grateful for child-friendly animated films!

I am also grateful that the new cinema is only 5 minutes away!!!

What a lovely way to spend a horrible rainy Monday afternoon!

We went to see The Lorax - a Dr Seuss story. I love the Dr Seuss stuff. It is always so colourful and has a good old-fashioned "moral of the story". I think kids today could be doing with more of that!!!

And, of course, the evening was spent with "Superstar"!!! Go Rory!!!!!!!

Oh, and by the way, yes...I did sleep well last night back in my own bed. No place like it!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Welcome home

Today I am grateful to be home, after a long 2 days travelling....okay, I know we had a few stops along the way, but it was still a long drive!!!

I am also grateful for the lovely welcome we got from Gorgeous! She is very obviously extremely happy to be home with us again. She has purred practically non-stop since she got home!

Here she is, eating snacks out of the bowl Meggie painted for her!

In fact, she is sitting on the unit behind me, nudging my face with her head, even as I am typing this!!!

And, boy, am I looking forward to going to my own bed tonight!!!!  In fact.....I'm off!

Gratefully yours.

xx

Short and sweet

This will be a short and sweet post again tonight, as am using the kids I-pods again!!!

Today I grateful for everyone who has made our holiday so special this year.

Sus and Lawrie,with a little help from Aya and Annie. Linds and Pete. Mags and her pink pad!!! Judy and May, who we love like family! Jill, Denis and Mike the yank! Kirsty, Keith, Hattie Hound and Miss Marble.

And, last but definitely not least, Grandma, who put us up,and, more importantly, put up with us for all the bits in between!!! We all love the bones of you, Grandma, and miss you already!


Skype you all real soon!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Summer time

The sun was shining today!

What a difference it makes to everything and everybody!

It was nice to take photos today that will have blue skies in them and not grey!

Also, we collected our ceramics today, that we painted with Mags. I am so chuffed with all of them! The kids were thrilled!

My interpretation of CB in the sun!

I had so much fun painting this, and will have a blue-sky memory of Cruden Bay even without today's photos!

Today, I am grateful for all of the lovely memories I will be taking back to Ireland with me.

Thank you all for making it such a lovely holiday for us.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Thomas's car - not an Audi though!!

Meggie's cat bowl!

Early risers

I have been enjoying my early morning walks down to the harbour here in Cruden Bay.

The village is actually quite busy at that time of day!

Many commuters heading to Aberdeen, leaving nice and early to beat the rush.

The Kindness Bakery van delivering fresh bread and buttries (yum!!) to the wee shop. (Note to self - Must remember to take my purse with me tomorrow!!)

Various dogs accompanied by their bleary-eyed walkers, heading either to the beach, or up the Ward Hill, for a blast of clean, fresh, salty sea air to clear the cobwebs.

The fishermen down at the harbour, checking nets and heading for home...yes, it would appear that I am not the earliest living being in Cruden Bay!!

And, my favourite early morning acquaintances, the herons!!

There is usually one guy wading about down by the Ladies Bridge. He likes to fish there when the tide is half out and the water is not too low or too high!

This morning I watched two fellas circle each other warily down at the mouth of the river. The tide was way out, and they were being territorial over fishing grounds, I think.

They were also having great fun with the gulls. First the gulls were dive-bombing them, as they stretched their necks up and snapped their beaks, then, when the gulls got tired of the game, they went over to the gulls to taunt them, strutting their stuff back and forth in front of them!! Quite hilarious!

I will miss them when I go back to walking in the city suburbs!! I'll have to make sure I go round by the bird sanctuary more often!!

Today I am grateful for the herons.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Spot my buddy!!

Rain, rain...again!!

What is there to be grateful for on a day that just poured with rain???

Well, for a start, I can be grateful that we only got a little bit soaked on our way to swim in Mag's pool! And it was so nice to be swimming in a lovely warm pool, looking out at the rain!

Then I can be grateful for the shopping centre. Where would we be without them on days like this??? I think half of Aberdeen had the same idea! It was hotchin'!!!

I am also grateful that my darling hubby didn't dissolve on the golf course....it was, I believe, a distinct possibility at one point!

And I can be grateful that, as I get dressed and organised for a night out, the sun has come out, beaming down at us as if to say "Boy, I needed that!!". I guess we all need to vent occasionally!

So, lastly, I am grateful that there is always hope that tomorrow may be drier.....and if it's not, then I will still find a whole heap to be grateful for!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Fun all the way

Oh, my goodness...what a busy day!  

 And what a lot of fun we've had!!! 

 Walking, ceramic painting, coffeeing, arty-crafty shopping, swimming and zumbaing!!! I'm shattered even writing about it!!

 And we mustn't forget Mag's pink pad!! We even had pink drinks and pink dinner (no, it's okay...it was salmon in a delicious tomato and cream sauce!! Very tasty altogether!) I think we will all sleep well tonight!! 

Today I am grateful for Mag's boundless, and very infectious energy!

 I am going home to download some groovy music so that I can regain my love of dancing, in the privacy of my own home!! And I promise to try not to embarrass my children....honest!!!!!

 Gratefully yours.
 xx

The generation gap

Who said there was a generation gap???

Mum, Meggie and I had a great morning today, indulging ourselves in something we all love....nosying around a craft and hobby shop!!

And none of us left empty handed!

It's lovely just to be able to do something like that. I mean, we must have spent an hour in that one shop, and no complaints from anyone about being bored, tired or fed-up!

So today I am grateful for the generation gap, and the fact that it's really not that big a gap at all!

And, as they say in Ireland, Meggie didn't lick it of the ground!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Tomorrow

The sun will come out, tomorrow.....Annie Warbucks didn't last long as weather-girl for Grampian TV!!!

But seriously...not really summer weather, is it??

And do I care?

No!!! I'm enjoying my summer holidays very much. I have now seen all my big sisters, as well as my mammy...and we still have 6 days left! Who cares if it's a wee bit damp and cool???

And in all honesty...I think Annie has a very good philosophy on life. Positive thinking at it's best! Never give up hope!!

I just hope it gets a wee bit dry for K's golf!!!

Today I am grateful for positive thinking!!!

Sure, if it wasn't for a wee bit of positive thinking, we'd all be having a very depressing summer!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The end of the day

I have had so much to be grateful for today.

Sunshine and showers.
Coffees and cakes.
Craft shops and museums (the Grampian Transport museum in Alford rocks!!).
Linds and Pete.
A rainbow so low and close that we could almost touch it! Pure magic!
Good food, good films and good company.

But today I am grateful for the last thing I heard before going to bed.

Thomas heard it while he was cleaning his teeth and asked me what it was. From his description it sounded like a cat, but when I heard it I thought it sounded like some kind of bird.

We asked Linds, who told us that it was a peacock!! Wow! Cool! There were actually two of them having a good night conversation!

Something really different to remember from our lovely weekend in Lumphanan.

Gratefully  yours.
xx

I'm board

No...I didn't misspell bored, I really meant board, as in, today I am grateful for board games!

We are at Lindsay's today, and after feeding our faces with a delicious dinner, we sat round the table playing board games!

Now, normally, it's the boys who do all the winning, but they were knocked off their perch well and truly this evening...by Megan and Pete! The dream team. They won both Cluedo and Sorry!!! Linds and I just didn't have a look in!

It really was a great way to spend an evening, especially one that is really too wet to be going outside!

Megan can't wait to do it all again tomorrow....not so sure about Pete!

Gratefully yours.
xx

These boots were made for walking...

..and that's just what they've done!!!

I've niver been aff the heid o' the road a' day!!!

Last count it was 7 walks today! And Megan did 6 of them with me!

It was not a bad day for it. Early walk to the harbour. Small walk around the scheme with Meg. Two mile treasure trail around Ellon (which was brill! Really great fun.). Walk to harbour with Mam and Meg. Walk to May's. Walk home from May's, up the killer-hill. And last, but by no means least, longer walk around scheme with Meg, Thomas and K.

I am now officially knackered and heading to bed!!!

Today I am grateful for my own two feet...and my walking shoes!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

The same but different

I decided that I really needed to keep my routine for getting up and going for a walk in the morning. You know how easy it is to lose a good habit!! Even if being on holiday is a good excuse for not getting up at 6am, you can be sure that come home time I wouldn't be able to get back to it!

So, this morning I got up, grabbed Mam's umbrella at the front door, and headed for the harbour!

I'm sure I've said before how much I love routine. And, of course, we all love a bit of variety, especially on holidays! Well, today I had the best of both worlds...lots of familiar sounds, but different!!!

Seagulls screeching instead of magpies. Sitting in the sitootrie listening to the rain, only Scottish rain (yes, I'm quite convinced that it sounded ever so slightly different!). Cars rushing past carrying poor souls off to work, while I enjoy the morning air, but heading to Aberdeen, not Raheen!

Then there was the one sound I don't get at home in Limerick...the one sound I miss most in all the world...the swish swish of the waves rolling in over the beach. It is such a soothing, peaceful sound. The nearest I can get to that one is the sound of my own breathing...rhythmic, gentle, constant.

So, today I am grateful for the familiar....always the same, even when it's different!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Holiday heaven

Today I am grateful for holidays....especially my holidays!!!

I know that the kids sometimes wish they had somewhere more exotic to tell their class-mates about in September (this is the two who have been to the Cayman Islands and Cyprus in the last couple of years!!), but I love coming home for the holidays.

I am often asked if I miss Scotland, and my answer is always the same...No, but I miss my family. But, if I am really honest, every year when we come over the water and I step on home soil....I want to stay!

I almost forget from year to year just what a beautiful country this is. And it is still all so familiar to me. Now, the weather is sufficiently similar to Ireland that that makes no difference, but the scenery just does not compare. I mean, a mountain in Ireland is really just a wee hillock!!!

Yet another thing that is easy to take for granted, guys! Don't do it!! Revel in this beautiful country; the hills and mountains, the green countryside, the fantastic coastline, the fields of sheep and cows, and, yes, even the rain and fog!

I am looking forward to the rest of my holidays, and I intend to enjoy every moment!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Well worth it

We had a good day today...eventually!

After a couple of false starts this afternoon (places that just didn't live up to expectations!) we ended up in a forest, up on top of a hill beside Loch Ness, in the absolute middle of nowhere.

There was a play area for kids with climbing frames and obstacle course, lovely wooden walkways, with little stretches leading off to wee scenic cul-de-sacs, and the most magical tree-houses I've ever seen! I wished I had been wearing my runners and comfy trousers...I would have been in there like a shot!

The weather held for us, and we had a fabulous wee adventure.

Heading along the path leading back to the cars, I spotted just 2 or 3 beautiful wee red carnation-type flowers growing at the side of the path. Just beautiful.

Today I am grateful that we didn't give up after the first fall, but kept going. Our final destination was well worth it.

A life-lesson there, I think! Another of those "if at first you don't succeed..." moments. And I am guilty of giving up at the first hurdle far too often. Nobody said this was going to be easy....but nobody said it wasn't well worth it either!

Gratefully yours
xx

Anyone for hide-and-seek?

Distance no object

Today I am grateful that in this day and age, it is not a problem to cross the sea  and travel half the length of the country to see friends and family.

I am also grateful that I have the use of a decent laptop to write this on tonight, and am not reliant on the footery wee i-pods!!! (Which was, by the way, my own fault, for not being bothered to bring my own laptop!!)

Anyway, it is amazing to be able to just get into the car and drive. I am so lucky that, having left my homeland, I am not forced to never set foot here again. I guess in the past, it wasn't so easy. The world is so much smaller these days, and we all have so much more, it really is incredible.

And it is so great to be able to catch up with friends that I don't see from one end of the year to the next, and, of course, family that I don't see much more often! (Other than on Skype, which is, of course, another amazing modern piece of technology!)

Good times!

Take time to stop and appreciate it once in a while, and realise just how lucky we are.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Home ground

OMG...I am writing this on first Megan's,and now Thomas's I-pod!!! Eyes not focussing very well and fingers too big! Please forgive spelling!!! Today I am grateful to be on home ground,all be it still a long way from home. I am so looking forward to seeing every one. Gratefully yours. xx

Pit stop

When we travel to Scotland, we almost always break the journey, at the best pit stop in Ireland....Ann and Denis's!!

K's sister and her family live in Lucan, which is only about 20minutes from Dublin airport, and a good half-way spot between Limerick and Larne, for those travelling by ferry.

And, trust me, you couldn't find a better place to stop for the night.

Denis is a great cook and we always have a great laugh and plenty of conversation over dinner, with a few glasses of wine thrown in for good measure. And, of course, the kids are delighted to hang with their cousins for a while.

Tonight Megan is sleeping in with Emily....good luck with that!!! Thomas drew the short straw and has to sleep up in the attic conversion with us! I don't care...as long as they both sleep, I'm happy!

So. today I am grateful for the best pit stop in Ireland. God help us if they ever decide to move!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Fresh air

Today I am grateful that I got two loads of washing (almost) dry on the whirly outside.

Holidays tomorrow, so had to get last clothes washed for packing! (Well, washed for ironing, for packing! But that's tomorrow's job!)

Both kids bags were full, mainly because their rooms had been tidied and it was amazing where clothes were appearing from, mostly in need of a wash!!!

Of course, the clothes horse was already full of damp clothes that are just not drying at the moment, so, thank God Summer decided to pitch in and help me out today!

Glorious morning, but I was at work. Got first load out when I came home at lunch time and second load washed and out by mid afternoon. Then, as you would expect, it started spitting rain!!! But I was not about to drag it all back in again with no-where to hang it, so I decided to tough it out. Thankfully the rain didn't come to much, and by 8pm I was able to take it in in an almost dry state, and smelling lovely and fresh!

It really is time I got a tumble dryer!!!

And, by the way, it is now pouring rain again!!! Thanks Summer!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Smooth as silk

Oooh, I do love a visit to the hairdresser!

Today Thomas, Megan and I all got our hair cut!

We took Thomas to his barber first. His hair is so long over his face at this stage that she had to put clips in it when she was cutting it, which Meggie found quite amusing! And it was quite funny when she asked Thomas if he wanted his fringe shorter or longer!!! And even funnier when he said "longer"!!!

Then we went to the girls hairdresser, and Thomas sat with his book while we were pampered.

I just love the feel of my hair when I come out of the hairdresser. Not so keen on how it looks, mind you....I love the cut she gives me but not the way she dries it!

And Meggie's just looks and feels gorgeous! So soft and silky, and shiny!!! She had about 3 inches taken off, which has made her look very grown up. It's still below her shoulders though! I'm not ready to let go of my baby yet!!!

So, today I am grateful for beautiful, soft, silky hair. I only wish it would last!!!

Gratefully yours.
xx

Room to play

I decided recently that there was no point in keeping the spare bed-room neat and tidy, and made up as a bed-room, for 12 months of the year, when it's only used as a bed-room for a few weeks a year.

So, it is now officially a play-room...and not a moment too soon!

It's working out quite well, as it happens. All the kids clutter is kept in one place, and they are tasked with keeping the room tidy enough to play in. And with the lovely (!!) summer (!!!!!) weather we are having, they are spending a lot of time up there.

The other good idea was to put the x-Box up there, so the lounge can now be an adult zone in the evenings!

I do miss them though....ah, who am I trying to kid!! Viva la play-room!!!

Today I am grateful for dedicated spaces.

Gratefully yours.
xx

Laundry

Today I am grateful that my work surface in the utility room is clear of laundry!

I ironed 9 shirts this morning, as well as assorted t-shirts, trousers and handkerchiefs.

I made several trips upstairs with loads of clean clothes and blankets for all of us.

There is one load of washing on the clothes horse, but it is mainly our swimming togs from yesterday, which (thank goodness!) will not need ironed.

I am truly grateful.

Gratefully yours.
xx

The Best Exotic

Seems like we are all of one mind!

All been watching The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

What did ye all think? I loved it. It gives me hope for the future!!!

But I think it holds a lesson for us all, irregardless of age.

Go for it. Dream. Don't take "no" for an answer. Never think you're not good enough, or not deserving enough. Live every moment! It's never too late.

What other good films have you guys been watching?

We are planning "Ice Age 4 - Continental Drift" over the next few days. Will keep you posted!

Today I am grateful for the medium of film, and all we can learn from it!!!

Gratefully yours.

xx