Friday, 31 August 2012

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


Thursday, 30 August 2012

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

Wednesday, 29 August 2012

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

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

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

Monday, 27 August 2012

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

Sunday, 26 August 2012

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

Friday, 24 August 2012

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

Thursday, 23 August 2012

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


Wednesday, 22 August 2012

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

Tuesday, 21 August 2012

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

Monday, 20 August 2012

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

Sunday, 19 August 2012

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

Saturday, 18 August 2012

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

Friday, 17 August 2012

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

Thursday, 16 August 2012

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

Wednesday, 15 August 2012

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

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

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

Monday, 13 August 2012

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

Sunday, 12 August 2012

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