Sometimes days off are more tiring than work days!
I just seem to have been on the go all day, even though I didn't really achieve much.
Come 7 o'clock I just wanted to sit down and chill.
So, I treated myself to an hour of solo telly time.
K was out, Thomas playing soccer with the boys and Meg on the computer. Gorgeous had nabbed the best seat in the house, but I did get the second best seat, and sole control of the remote!!
I realised when I sat down that I have not seen the telly all week, for one reason or another, so it was nice just to relax and switch off the mind!
Today I am actually grateful to Simon Cowell for Britain's Got Talent!!
Quite entertaining, and easy to relax to!
Don't think I would watch it every night though!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Friday, 31 May 2013
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Hair today, gone tomorrow
Today was a good-hair day.
Very occasionally my blow-drying skills present themselves on the same day that my hair decides to be compliant. I decided long ago that the best way to deal with hair is to give it the final say. It's going to do what it wants anyway, so why make a fuss about it? But, like I say, very occasionally it decides to do what I ask it to, and today was one of those days.
My beloved husband was even moved to take a photo of me as I was leaving for work. I must admit to thinking he'd gone a bit soft in the head, but was secretly flattered too!!!
My crowning glory will never be the beautiful colour of Megan's. Nor will it ever be super-sleek and shiny like on the shampoo ads, but when it lives up to it's name, who am I to be anything other than delighted with myself for the day!!
Today I am grateful to my hair for behaving so beautifully!
Now, if only I could figure out a way to sleep that won't have it looking like a crow's nest in the morning!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Very occasionally my blow-drying skills present themselves on the same day that my hair decides to be compliant. I decided long ago that the best way to deal with hair is to give it the final say. It's going to do what it wants anyway, so why make a fuss about it? But, like I say, very occasionally it decides to do what I ask it to, and today was one of those days.
My beloved husband was even moved to take a photo of me as I was leaving for work. I must admit to thinking he'd gone a bit soft in the head, but was secretly flattered too!!!
My crowning glory will never be the beautiful colour of Megan's. Nor will it ever be super-sleek and shiny like on the shampoo ads, but when it lives up to it's name, who am I to be anything other than delighted with myself for the day!!
Today I am grateful to my hair for behaving so beautifully!
Now, if only I could figure out a way to sleep that won't have it looking like a crow's nest in the morning!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Daily Treats
Daily Treats are definitely the way forward.
I decided today to have a wee treat every day, taking about 15 minutes, and spending little or no money. I'm also going to try to do something different every day!
Today was easy because it was such a beautiful day. When I dropped Thomas at his singing, I carried on into Castleconnell and down to the river.
It was very relaxing watching the ducks, geese and swans, with a lovely cool breeze to keep the heat down.
I am grateful that we have some really beautiful places near us to go and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.
Here are some of the friends I made today....
Gratefully yours.
I decided today to have a wee treat every day, taking about 15 minutes, and spending little or no money. I'm also going to try to do something different every day!
Today was easy because it was such a beautiful day. When I dropped Thomas at his singing, I carried on into Castleconnell and down to the river.
It was very relaxing watching the ducks, geese and swans, with a lovely cool breeze to keep the heat down.
I am grateful that we have some really beautiful places near us to go and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.
Here are some of the friends I made today....
 |
| Goosey Goosey Gander |
 |
| Donald Duck |
 |
| A pensive pen |
Gratefully yours.
xx
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Neighbours
We had some sad news today.
A neighbour of ours died suddenly this morning. He was only 58.
We went over to the house this evening to pay our respects and I was amazed to see that most of our neighbours were there. We had a glass of wine, and remembered the big, bold Spaniard in the way he would have wanted.
We used to see our neighbours in the crescent all the time when the kids were small, because we were always out on the street keeping an eye on them, and chatting to each other. But over the years (gosh, don't I sound old!!!) we have begun to see less and less of each other as the kids have grown up and no longer need (okay, no longer want) our supervision.
It was so nice to see how supportive everyone is, and how protective when one of us needs it.
Today I am grateful for my neighbours.
We may not see each other too often, but it is good to know that they are all still there.
Gratefully yours.
xx
A neighbour of ours died suddenly this morning. He was only 58.
We went over to the house this evening to pay our respects and I was amazed to see that most of our neighbours were there. We had a glass of wine, and remembered the big, bold Spaniard in the way he would have wanted.
We used to see our neighbours in the crescent all the time when the kids were small, because we were always out on the street keeping an eye on them, and chatting to each other. But over the years (gosh, don't I sound old!!!) we have begun to see less and less of each other as the kids have grown up and no longer need (okay, no longer want) our supervision.
It was so nice to see how supportive everyone is, and how protective when one of us needs it.
Today I am grateful for my neighbours.
We may not see each other too often, but it is good to know that they are all still there.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Monday, 27 May 2013
Not quite
We may not quite have Summer yet...
...but today I am grateful that we had enough blue sky, and enough cool wind to dry my sheets out on the whirly-gig.
I was able to fill the clothes-horse with two loads of clothes instead of the sheets, so all the laundry bags are empty. Not for long, I'm sure! But for now they are empty!!
I didn't get round to the ironing mind you, so that basket is not empty!!
Maybe tomorrow!!!
In the mean time I shall look forward to going to my bed tonight. My pillows will smell of fresh air! Hopefully that will give me nice, cool, fresh dreams tonight!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
...but today I am grateful that we had enough blue sky, and enough cool wind to dry my sheets out on the whirly-gig.
I was able to fill the clothes-horse with two loads of clothes instead of the sheets, so all the laundry bags are empty. Not for long, I'm sure! But for now they are empty!!
I didn't get round to the ironing mind you, so that basket is not empty!!
Maybe tomorrow!!!
In the mean time I shall look forward to going to my bed tonight. My pillows will smell of fresh air! Hopefully that will give me nice, cool, fresh dreams tonight!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Late at night
Now it's getting silly!
I have been to bed. I have even slept a bit...badly, but I have slept.
I woke up, too hot, uncomfortable, feeling yucky. Was just turning over to re-comfify myself when I had the sudden thought that I had not blogged!
Don't worry...I'm not daft enough to get up in the middle of the night to write my blog! The thought, however, lead on to a second thought, that I had not switched off the computer when I went to bed. I had to come down and check. I was right! Computer was showing a slide show of lovely photos to the night!
Decided then, since I was up to write my blog!
Tonight I am grateful for the opportunity to have a quick peek out at the moon!
It was full last night and I missed it...so here's my chance!
Always a silver lining!!
Gratefully (yawn) yours.
xx
I have been to bed. I have even slept a bit...badly, but I have slept.
I woke up, too hot, uncomfortable, feeling yucky. Was just turning over to re-comfify myself when I had the sudden thought that I had not blogged!
Don't worry...I'm not daft enough to get up in the middle of the night to write my blog! The thought, however, lead on to a second thought, that I had not switched off the computer when I went to bed. I had to come down and check. I was right! Computer was showing a slide show of lovely photos to the night!
Decided then, since I was up to write my blog!
Tonight I am grateful for the opportunity to have a quick peek out at the moon!
It was full last night and I missed it...so here's my chance!
Always a silver lining!!
Gratefully (yawn) yours.
xx
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Pavlova plus
Did you ever wonder what to do with the egg yolks when you're making pavlova??
I have spent years just putting them down the sink!! I know!! Terrible!!!
Anyway, last time I made pavlova I discovered custard! I know, I'm a VERY slow learner....just ask my mammy!!!
So, out came the eggs this evening (we have a lunch at Tina's tomorrow!) and I made pavlova and custard! The pavlova is for the party, the custard is for me!!!
Today I am grateful for pavlova plus!!!
Custard is just such a comforting food, and I honestly thought you couldn't beat Ambrosia Devon Custard. But I have to say, homemade custard rocks!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
I have spent years just putting them down the sink!! I know!! Terrible!!!
Anyway, last time I made pavlova I discovered custard! I know, I'm a VERY slow learner....just ask my mammy!!!
So, out came the eggs this evening (we have a lunch at Tina's tomorrow!) and I made pavlova and custard! The pavlova is for the party, the custard is for me!!!
Today I am grateful for pavlova plus!!!
Custard is just such a comforting food, and I honestly thought you couldn't beat Ambrosia Devon Custard. But I have to say, homemade custard rocks!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Friday, 24 May 2013
Lock down
Oh my goodness....
I just had a flash-forward moment of clarity!
Just sitting here thinking about how much I like this time of the evening, when the kids are in and the doors are locked for the night. Flash-forward 10 years (or, heaven forbid, less!!)...what time of night will it be before I can lock my doors and know that the kids are upstairs safe and sound??? I can remember coming home after a dance at about one in the morning and Mam still sitting up in her bed, because she couldn't sleep till I was home!! I was nearly 30 at the time!!!!!
It's all ahead of me!!!
Today I can only be grateful that, tonight, my doors are locked and my kids are safe and sound up stairs!!
Hopefully my mammy is tucked up in her bed too!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
I just had a flash-forward moment of clarity!
Just sitting here thinking about how much I like this time of the evening, when the kids are in and the doors are locked for the night. Flash-forward 10 years (or, heaven forbid, less!!)...what time of night will it be before I can lock my doors and know that the kids are upstairs safe and sound??? I can remember coming home after a dance at about one in the morning and Mam still sitting up in her bed, because she couldn't sleep till I was home!! I was nearly 30 at the time!!!!!
It's all ahead of me!!!
Today I can only be grateful that, tonight, my doors are locked and my kids are safe and sound up stairs!!
Hopefully my mammy is tucked up in her bed too!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Thursday, 23 May 2013
The greatest show on earth
Today, the greatest show on earth took place in Meggie's school.
The whole school was involved, each class doing two or three musical numbers, set round a central theme of "No place like home".
K and Thomas and I were in the audience tonight, their second performance today, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
It's just something very special to be a part of. Even the girls who didn't look like they were totally at home or comfortable singing and dancing on stage in front of a couple of hundred parents, looked like they were enjoying being together, working as a team. In fact, they all looked totally "at home" with each other!!
Today I am grateful for the reminder that there is indeed no place like home.
That sense of togetherness and belonging is priceless.
Well done Salesian Primary School!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
The whole school was involved, each class doing two or three musical numbers, set round a central theme of "No place like home".
K and Thomas and I were in the audience tonight, their second performance today, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
It's just something very special to be a part of. Even the girls who didn't look like they were totally at home or comfortable singing and dancing on stage in front of a couple of hundred parents, looked like they were enjoying being together, working as a team. In fact, they all looked totally "at home" with each other!!
Today I am grateful for the reminder that there is indeed no place like home.
That sense of togetherness and belonging is priceless.
Well done Salesian Primary School!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Organisation
I've found another stress-buster!
It's called "organisation" and it's relatively simple to do.
All it takes is a little fore-thought and planning, then a bit of work and Bob's your uncle! Stress aborted!
I used this technique this afternoon because Thomas had a soccer match this evening, as well as his singing in the afternoon, and only a half hour window in the middle in which to get his dinner. And, as I am the local taxi driver, I had to get the dinner organised before leaving the house with him at 4pm. Did I mention only getting home from the school run at 3pm?
So today I am thankful for new techniques!
Must see how else I can utilise this one! I have a feeling it could prove quite useful!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
It's called "organisation" and it's relatively simple to do.
All it takes is a little fore-thought and planning, then a bit of work and Bob's your uncle! Stress aborted!
I used this technique this afternoon because Thomas had a soccer match this evening, as well as his singing in the afternoon, and only a half hour window in the middle in which to get his dinner. And, as I am the local taxi driver, I had to get the dinner organised before leaving the house with him at 4pm. Did I mention only getting home from the school run at 3pm?
So today I am thankful for new techniques!
Must see how else I can utilise this one! I have a feeling it could prove quite useful!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Ballet buns
Today I am grateful for you-tube!
What a useful piece of technology!!
Meggie had a ballet exam today so, of course, her hair had to be out up in a nice tight bun. I bought one of those donut thingys that are supposed to make buns look great (!!!) but had no real clue how to use it!!
Step up to the plate you-tube!! Not only did I get a video demonstrating how to use the donut thingy, I also got one, even better, without it! There were "how to" videos for long hair, short hair, thick hair, thin hair....take your pick!
What amazes me more though is why so many people would post videos on you-tube in the first place for something like that!!!
Anyway, at the end of the day, Meggie looked gorgeous, and the ballet exam is over and done with!!
Only the piano one to go!!!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
What a useful piece of technology!!
Meggie had a ballet exam today so, of course, her hair had to be out up in a nice tight bun. I bought one of those donut thingys that are supposed to make buns look great (!!!) but had no real clue how to use it!!
Step up to the plate you-tube!! Not only did I get a video demonstrating how to use the donut thingy, I also got one, even better, without it! There were "how to" videos for long hair, short hair, thick hair, thin hair....take your pick!
What amazes me more though is why so many people would post videos on you-tube in the first place for something like that!!!
Anyway, at the end of the day, Meggie looked gorgeous, and the ballet exam is over and done with!!
Only the piano one to go!!!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Monday, 20 May 2013
Just a minute
It only takes a minute...not even that!
You can do it any time, and no-one else even has to know.
You could even do it at work! In fact, I'd recommend it. (And, no. I'm not talking about pelvic floor exercises, although I guess you could if you really wanted to!!!)
I'm talking about taking the time to experience your breath.
We spend all our lives breathing in and out, and in and out. Right from the moment we are born, until our very last moment in this life. In fact, it is one of the defining actions of our lives! But how often are we actually aware that we are breathing?
Just taking a minute to concentrate on our breathing, to fully experience it, is so calming!
No need for expensive equipment. No need for blocking off time in the diary. No need for fancy clothes or music. Just a few seconds of breathing in and out...and nothing else.
Today I am grateful for the odd minute.
Stop. Breathe. Start again.
Gratefully yours.
xx
You can do it any time, and no-one else even has to know.
You could even do it at work! In fact, I'd recommend it. (And, no. I'm not talking about pelvic floor exercises, although I guess you could if you really wanted to!!!)
I'm talking about taking the time to experience your breath.
We spend all our lives breathing in and out, and in and out. Right from the moment we are born, until our very last moment in this life. In fact, it is one of the defining actions of our lives! But how often are we actually aware that we are breathing?
Just taking a minute to concentrate on our breathing, to fully experience it, is so calming!
No need for expensive equipment. No need for blocking off time in the diary. No need for fancy clothes or music. Just a few seconds of breathing in and out...and nothing else.
Today I am grateful for the odd minute.
Stop. Breathe. Start again.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Super Sunday
Today I am grateful for a dry day!
It was actually quite heavy and overcast, but warm today.
K got the grass cut, I got a load of washing dried on the line, and the kids spent the day, and evening outside!! Hopefully that means they will sleep!!!
I really don't mind if we don't get a warm summer....but another few dry days would be nice. It's amazing the difference it can make.
Then again....think of all the lovely jobs that could be done indoors when it's raining!
Always a silver lining!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
It was actually quite heavy and overcast, but warm today.
K got the grass cut, I got a load of washing dried on the line, and the kids spent the day, and evening outside!! Hopefully that means they will sleep!!!
I really don't mind if we don't get a warm summer....but another few dry days would be nice. It's amazing the difference it can make.
Then again....think of all the lovely jobs that could be done indoors when it's raining!
Always a silver lining!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Tech-head
I didn't know it before, but it turns out I can be a bit of a tech-head when I have to be!!
Do you ever long for the "olden days", when, if you wanted something down on paper, you picked up a pen and wrote it down??
I had to print out 80 patient information charts for our nursing home today at work, and the printer was spitting out blank sheets at me! No red warning light, no bells, no whistles...just no damn writing!!!
Did I panic, did I give up all hope of ever getting the job done?
Well, yes!! But then I fichered and footered, pressed buttons and jiggled the mouse....and voila!!!
It worked!!!
So today I am eternally grateful for whatever it was that I did that worked!!!
I only wish I had the slightest clue what it was!!! Ah well....
Gratefully yours.
xx
Do you ever long for the "olden days", when, if you wanted something down on paper, you picked up a pen and wrote it down??
I had to print out 80 patient information charts for our nursing home today at work, and the printer was spitting out blank sheets at me! No red warning light, no bells, no whistles...just no damn writing!!!
Did I panic, did I give up all hope of ever getting the job done?
Well, yes!! But then I fichered and footered, pressed buttons and jiggled the mouse....and voila!!!
It worked!!!
So today I am eternally grateful for whatever it was that I did that worked!!!
I only wish I had the slightest clue what it was!!! Ah well....
Gratefully yours.
xx
Friday, 17 May 2013
This one's for you
Just when you think you're running out of steam....up comes a Mammy to refill the kettle!!!
I've missed a few nights recently. When I've been tired and/or not sure what to write about.
Won't happen again!!
Mam told me the other day that the first thing she does in the morning is switches on the computer and reads my blog! So if there's nothing there to read....
Today I am grateful for my inspiration!
Rock on Mammy.
Gratefully yours.
xx
I've missed a few nights recently. When I've been tired and/or not sure what to write about.
Won't happen again!!
Mam told me the other day that the first thing she does in the morning is switches on the computer and reads my blog! So if there's nothing there to read....
Today I am grateful for my inspiration!
Rock on Mammy.
Gratefully yours.
xx
Thursday, 16 May 2013
The grass is always greener...
...on MY side of the fence!!!
While walking home from work this evening, in the lashing rain, I looked over at the cars, stopped in the heavy traffic and the thought that flashed through my head was "thank goodness I'm walking"!!
I was still smiling about it when I got home. Soaked through but still smiling!
So, today I am grateful that even after all the rain we've been having lately I'm starting to be able to see the brighter side of life!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
While walking home from work this evening, in the lashing rain, I looked over at the cars, stopped in the heavy traffic and the thought that flashed through my head was "thank goodness I'm walking"!!
I was still smiling about it when I got home. Soaked through but still smiling!
So, today I am grateful that even after all the rain we've been having lately I'm starting to be able to see the brighter side of life!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Bring on the sun
It doesn't matter that it's been windy and rainy for the last week.
All it takes is a couple of hours of afternoon sun, and my sitootrie is like an oven!
Today I am grateful for my sitootrie.
It was lovely just to sit out there and chat with K this evening after a hard day (his, not mine!).
Gratefully yours.
xx
All it takes is a couple of hours of afternoon sun, and my sitootrie is like an oven!
Today I am grateful for my sitootrie.
It was lovely just to sit out there and chat with K this evening after a hard day (his, not mine!).
Gratefully yours.
xx
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
A sense of wellbeing
Today I am celebrating my senses, and I am very thankful that I have them.
I am so lucky to be living in such a lovely part of a big city.
Not only does my walk to work take me along the river, with beautiful horse-chestnut trees, laden with flowers at this time of year, amorous swans by the dozen and the ever changing patterns in the water, but my walk back home takes me down a main road which is full of delights and surprises.
The road is usually quiet free of cars at lunch time, so my ears are treated to a choir of birdsong. It's a street of, I guess, Georgian houses, all with big front gardens. Almost every garden has a huge, old tree right at the front, and these trees are, as well as being beautiful to look at, obviously great hang-outs for a whole host of winged warblers.
And amazingly, after all the rain we seem to be getting, the overwhelming smell I got today was that beautiful smell you get when rain hits the dry ground! (When has the rain gone off long enough recently for the ground to get dry???) It's such a lovely, earthy, natural smell and it always makes me feel good.
I must admit, however, that the feeling of the cold rain on my legs was not quite so welcome!!
Ah well, we can't have it all!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
I am so lucky to be living in such a lovely part of a big city.
Not only does my walk to work take me along the river, with beautiful horse-chestnut trees, laden with flowers at this time of year, amorous swans by the dozen and the ever changing patterns in the water, but my walk back home takes me down a main road which is full of delights and surprises.
The road is usually quiet free of cars at lunch time, so my ears are treated to a choir of birdsong. It's a street of, I guess, Georgian houses, all with big front gardens. Almost every garden has a huge, old tree right at the front, and these trees are, as well as being beautiful to look at, obviously great hang-outs for a whole host of winged warblers.
And amazingly, after all the rain we seem to be getting, the overwhelming smell I got today was that beautiful smell you get when rain hits the dry ground! (When has the rain gone off long enough recently for the ground to get dry???) It's such a lovely, earthy, natural smell and it always makes me feel good.
I must admit, however, that the feeling of the cold rain on my legs was not quite so welcome!!
Ah well, we can't have it all!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Monday, 13 May 2013
Home on a high
We got a leaflet through the door the other day about two missing cats in our area. Meg spotted it , so we had a look at the kittys' photos and said how sad it was that they were lost, then put the leaflet in the recycling bin.
Fast-forward to this evening. I had a great choir practice. Really enjoyed it and sang my wee heart out all the way home in the car, so I was in a pretty good mood already.
Just a couple of streets from home I tawt I taw a puddy-tat. And if it wasn't one of the cats from the leaflet, it must have been his stunt-double, even down to the blue collar that looked too big for him!
So, home I came and out with the torch to the recycling bin! Of course, the leaflet had worked it's way down to the bottom, and I was very nearly in the bin head-first before I managed to get it out!!
Anyway, I phoned the number and told the guy where I had spotted said puddy-tat. He was delighted, and said he'd go there right away and look for him!
Megan was over the moon at the thought that I'd found the missing cat!! (The other one had found his own way home, but not this guy!) And, I have to say, I'm over the moon myself! It's a wonderful thought that the little guy could be home with his folks by now after going AWOL for over a week!! Fingers crossed it was the right cat!!!
Today I am grateful for the power of advertising!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Fast-forward to this evening. I had a great choir practice. Really enjoyed it and sang my wee heart out all the way home in the car, so I was in a pretty good mood already.
Just a couple of streets from home I tawt I taw a puddy-tat. And if it wasn't one of the cats from the leaflet, it must have been his stunt-double, even down to the blue collar that looked too big for him!
So, home I came and out with the torch to the recycling bin! Of course, the leaflet had worked it's way down to the bottom, and I was very nearly in the bin head-first before I managed to get it out!!
Anyway, I phoned the number and told the guy where I had spotted said puddy-tat. He was delighted, and said he'd go there right away and look for him!
Megan was over the moon at the thought that I'd found the missing cat!! (The other one had found his own way home, but not this guy!) And, I have to say, I'm over the moon myself! It's a wonderful thought that the little guy could be home with his folks by now after going AWOL for over a week!! Fingers crossed it was the right cat!!!
Today I am grateful for the power of advertising!!!
Gratefully yours.
xx
Sunday, 12 May 2013
A quiet day
I have had a lovely, quiet Sunday.
For that, I am grateful.
K took the kids to mass this morning and I went off and did the food shopping for the week....yes, in Lidl! Well, most of it anyway. Only bits and pieces needed elsewhere..
Bit of laundry, including the ironing basket (I had to iron the 6 shirts myself now that Mam's gone home!!) and then feet up. K on golf course (in driving rain and wind????), Thomas watching footie on the tv and Mag upstairs with her pal. No rush, no pressure.
I like days like these!
Gratefully yours.
xx
For that, I am grateful.
K took the kids to mass this morning and I went off and did the food shopping for the week....yes, in Lidl! Well, most of it anyway. Only bits and pieces needed elsewhere..
Bit of laundry, including the ironing basket (I had to iron the 6 shirts myself now that Mam's gone home!!) and then feet up. K on golf course (in driving rain and wind????), Thomas watching footie on the tv and Mag upstairs with her pal. No rush, no pressure.
I like days like these!
Gratefully yours.
xx
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