tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77253911767384614732024-03-13T11:08:05.189-07:00The Serious WagonGwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-85944075001989274102015-09-01T12:13:00.001-07:002015-09-01T12:13:44.911-07:00Teachings<div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6e6jlNswCrw/VeX41xslsLI/AAAAAAAAFQw/W4HwnQ4hCTM/s1600/Bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6e6jlNswCrw/VeX41xslsLI/AAAAAAAAFQw/W4HwnQ4hCTM/s320/Bags.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I have very vague memories of my
first day at school. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I do remember a
sense of confusion and wondering what it was all about.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I’m sure it was explained to me beforehand
that I was going to a place called school and I would stay there for a few
hours before coming home again but I honestly don’t remember that.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Hence the bewilderment when I got there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My first teacher</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> is retired now and I often want to
tell her she was the person responsible for showing me how to
decipher those weird, squiggly hieroglyphics into proper words that made
brilliant, exciting sense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My next teacher was a tiny nun who
spoke so quietly I found it difficult to understand her.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Especially the day she hit me on the hand
with one of those old fashioned butter paddles.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I still have no idea why.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I made my First Holy Communion
my teacher was a dark haired lady called Miss Lundy.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She would set me extra homework each evening
with some picture cards.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had to write
the story according to what was happening in each scene.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I loved it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In second class I had two
teachers.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My “real” teacher was heavily
involved with music and spent most of her time teaching it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The stand in nun had us learn off ridiculous
and pointless religious paragraphs and then she would test us on it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
didn’t do anything else.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember each and every one of my
primary school teachers and one or two from secondary school.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each and every one of them made an impact on
me in some shape or form.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some good,
some bad, some indifferent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I am sending my own kids to
school.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Into the hands of people who
will teach them things I cannot and possibly by means I won’t necessarily agree
with.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have no bad stories to tell of my
time in school.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I enjoyed primary
tremendously whereas secondary came as a bit of a shock to me and pretty soon I
learned that if I kept my head down and didn’t draw attention to myself, I would
be ignored.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the teachers.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This effectively meant that when I struggled
with things, it went unnoticed and I was very much the type of person who liked
to stick her head in the sand hoping it would all go away if I didn’t think
about it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I consider my kids to be fortunate
to go to school in an age where this doesn’t have to be the case anymore.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of our boys didn’t settle into
school as seamlessly as his brothers.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He
struggled for a while and in turn, I did too, wondering how to help him.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks to the fantastic help,
forward thinking and pro-active steps of not one but two teachers, our boy is
on top of things now and much happier as a result. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last week my phone pinged with the
usual reminder text that school is back.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was an additional piece of information included.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of those teachers, the school principal, had
resigned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This lady was with the school when
it started out with just 21 children in 2004 using a prefabricated building as their
place of education.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2007 she saw it
granted permanent recognition from the Department of Education and
Science.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She was there in 2009 when the
students moved into the new school where it has continued to develop and grow.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can only hope that our boys’
education continues to be as positive as it has been so far, they are
surrounded by people outside of family who care about their emotional and
social development believing this is just as important as academia.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Múinteoir Sinead, go n-éiri an bother
leat.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will be missed.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-39218735746760442412015-08-25T08:50:00.000-07:002015-08-25T08:50:31.778-07:00Re-Setting Your System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-99EkryNtT7g/VdyOvjnc8nI/AAAAAAAAFO4/uDM229qB1Z8/s1600/poppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-99EkryNtT7g/VdyOvjnc8nI/AAAAAAAAFO4/uDM229qB1Z8/s320/poppies.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The school gates are due to open in a
matter of days. I have helpfully
reminded all those concerned about this fact in an effort to ease them into the
next mind-set. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday night our quieter boy came back
down the stairs to tell me he thought he was going to be sick. I managed to convince him otherwise and
tucked him back in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night he appeared again. “I have the hic-cups so when I lie down I think
I’m going to be sick.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is not going to be sick. I know exactly what is bothering him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">School is bothering him. The thoughts of it are bothering him. I went upstairs with him and sat on his
bed. We had a chat. Or at least I tried to chat to him. He turned away from me to face the wall. I chatted anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We did a little relaxation exercise taken
from a book I can highly recommend called <i>A
Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety” by Dawn Huebner, PH.D. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VWocc9YUcY/VdyNbVDnswI/AAAAAAAAFOc/LP4NdwMwYOk/s1600/Book%2Bcover%2Bpicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VWocc9YUcY/VdyNbVDnswI/AAAAAAAAFOc/LP4NdwMwYOk/s320/Book%2Bcover%2Bpicture.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might also find it helpful for
your child if they are worrying about the return to school. Or about any other anxious occasion in their
life. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Picture your mind like a television
and the worry thoughts are a programme you don’t want to watch. Think about changing that channel on the
television. You can do this by “re-setting
your system” and this means doing something to change the way your body feels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPhqNEM5w20/VdyNgp4JZLI/AAAAAAAAFOo/_-9wLwpkcmY/s1600/activity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPhqNEM5w20/VdyNgp4JZLI/AAAAAAAAFOo/_-9wLwpkcmY/s320/activity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5aixHIIOgMc/VdyNilEGxYI/AAAAAAAAFOw/YUl61wpcFws/s1600/re%2Bset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5aixHIIOgMc/VdyNilEGxYI/AAAAAAAAFOw/YUl61wpcFws/s320/re%2Bset.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try this relaxation exercise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Squeeze your hands into tight fists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Scrunch up your face.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tense your body.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hold this “body scrunch” for 5
seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Then let everything go so you are nice
and floppy.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now it’s time to breathe deeply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine the breath you are taking in
as being cool and calming. Think of it going
all the way down into your tummy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now breathe out. Think about this breath out as beign hot and
bothered air.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="color: #d6dce5; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #D6DCE5; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=20000 lumo=80000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 51;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE" style="color: #d6dce5; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #D6DCE5; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=20000 lumo=80000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 51;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In – cool and
calm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="color: #ed7d31; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent2;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out – hot and bothered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do this 5
times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This next
bit is my favourite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pick a
happy memory. It can be anything at
all. As long as it gives you happy
thoughts when you think about it. It can
be a tastier than usual hot chocolate. A
day at the zoo. Going into the shop and
finding your favourite magazine. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, think
about what you see. What are you
wearing? Can you hear anything? How do you feel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I did
this exercise with the boy it was intended for, two more joined in and had a
great time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ten minutes
later the hic-cups were gone and all thoughts of feeling sick had stopped. He wasn’t facing the wall anymore and he
wrote down a couple of good things that had happened that day as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then he
fell asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think a
little distraction exercise like this can work for everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-89188073807492809022015-06-07T13:38:00.001-07:002015-06-07T13:38:34.058-07:00Nothing Should be Rushed on Sunday<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pklnylNC5c/VXSreFm3dYI/AAAAAAAAFEA/H58-Qh2adNQ/s1600/slow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pklnylNC5c/VXSreFm3dYI/AAAAAAAAFEA/H58-Qh2adNQ/s1600/slow.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slowlivingsunday.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t know why
it’s taken me the best part of four decades to figure this one out, but this
morning I had an epiphany of sorts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up. The weather was gorgeous! The kids were downstairs, television blaring
and by the sounds of rattling bowls, being fed.
My favourite part. The field
outside my window had grass the colour of the ocean blowing in the wind and I could
hear fledglings in the chimney. I felt
rested and ready to face the day. The tummy
bug had finally left the building having come back twice to take another bite
of two apples. Bastard thing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did I say the
weather was gorgeous? I decided there
and then I was going for a run. My first
in over a week. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As if she could
read my mind, our Juno dog appeared at the bedroom door. Or rather, her nose did. I called her name and she came in. Her wet, cold nose touched my hand in
greeting. She sniffed my runners and I swung
my legs out of bed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-68ii6mt_AXM/VXSrvps3kfI/AAAAAAAAFEI/mgJ12Y8-hZY/s1600/juno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-68ii6mt_AXM/VXSrvps3kfI/AAAAAAAAFEI/mgJ12Y8-hZY/s320/juno.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I dressed quickly
and arranged to meet Mister Husband and the kids in town and I set off with the
dog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was
glorious. I felt totally and utterly at
peace with the world and with myself. We
weren’t the only ones on the road, Juno and I.
Plenty of cyclists, walkers and people with dogs passed us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took it nice and
handy as I had fallen foul of the tummy bug as well. The Sunday Business Show was being broadcast
in my ears and every time I felt my pace quicken I slowed it down. Nothing should be rushed on a Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Juno heard the car
before I did and we both turned on the roundabout to see our red Citroen C8
pass with windows wound down and four sets of waving kids’ arms sticking out
the windows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Five minutes later
I joined my menfolk in the café for coffee and croissants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of hours
later we were in a shopping centre where I picked up the last of the copybooks
for next year. Yes, you read that
right. A few weeks ago I made a decision
not to be left with school supplies at the last minute and now I am finished
with the school books for next year. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wandered into
Boots where I picked up one or two fripperies for myself. There is something so deliciously pleasing
about picking up a bottle of body lotion and an item of make-up that you don’t
actually need, but <i>want</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all need nice
things. Nice things are good for the soul. A wise lady named Claire once told me subconsciously
you don’t consider yourself important, good or worthy enough if you don’t treat
yourself every now and again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is fast and we
all need to take it slowly on occasion; slow down our thought process and actions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today was the day I
chose to do that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing should be
rushed on Sundays.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And guess what? I still got everything done. The lunches made, the washing hung out, a
tear sewed (badly) in a red school jumper, lunch supplies picked up and right
now I am enjoying a cold glass of wine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because nothing
should be rushed on Sundays.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-1964721492528145792015-05-27T12:12:00.000-07:002015-05-27T12:12:28.533-07:00Minding Your Mindfulness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Fr39C5Htp0/VWXnbpGv17I/AAAAAAAAFC4/8VDSA6-tM1Y/s1600/pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Fr39C5Htp0/VWXnbpGv17I/AAAAAAAAFC4/8VDSA6-tM1Y/s1600/pic3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mindfulness seems to be all the rage at the moment. Interestingly enough Mister Husband and I had
a chat over the weekend (or rather, I did all the talking and he listened)
about how we are living in a fast and furious world. Everything has to be now and no-one has time
anymore for the simple things in life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s what mindfulness is; finding the calm and stability
in our busy lives both for ourselves and with others. Trying not to sweat the small stuff, taking a
large(ish) step back and seeing. Really
seeing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It all sounds so New Age and faddish but when was the last
time you stared off into space and genuinely blocked everything out. Even if it was only for two minutes before
someone brought you back down to earth with a demand for sandwich or a request
for help with homework.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without even realising it, you were practising mindfulness. You were so lost in the moment that you zoned
out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some people practise mindfulness by meditating but if I am
to be completely honest and speaking solely for myself, that isn’t something I
can get completely on board with. I am
going to trot out the usual “I don’t have time” excuse even though you can,
with a bit of practise, mediate several times a day for as little as five
minutes at a time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I <i>do </i>like the
sound of meditation but I think in order to be mindful, we need to find
something that works for us as an individual rather than what the magazine
article or Facebook page dictates. I
think that’s the neat thing about it; it isn’t a one size fits all model, mindfulness
can be tweaked and adapted to suit your own needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s be upfront about something. When you’ve got small kids it can be almost
impossible to finish a cup of coffee or visit the bathroom alone. Trying to be mindful in an allocated space of
time can be farcical to say the least so here’s my take on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nV8N-vjxTEQ/VWXnpC6X1tI/AAAAAAAAFDE/zbpBMlrdLIg/s1600/pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nV8N-vjxTEQ/VWXnpC6X1tI/AAAAAAAAFDE/zbpBMlrdLIg/s1600/pic2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it can be as basic as enjoying the simple everyday
things. So, what are the things you enjoy
on a daily basis? Those few minutes
first thing in the morning when you wake up but want to stay there just a
little bit longer? That stretch before
your feet touch the floor? The first cup
of coffee of the day? Maybe it’s that
half hour alone before the kids wake up?
Your eleven o’clock coffee? A
glass of wine with your evening meal?
Reading the headlines when the kids are in school? Using a favourite moisturiser after a shower? Going for a walk or a run? A cappuccino after the school run? Your favourite soap on TV?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The list is endless. But
whatever it is you enjoy doing, take your time and <i>really enjoy it. </i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And make sure you take that time for yourself. Every
day. Not just when you can fit it
in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only you can mind your mindfulness.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-34599623665978010462015-05-13T11:17:00.000-07:002015-05-13T11:17:22.402-07:00Bedtime Guilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y85f6MuupEQ/VVOVJKDiI0I/AAAAAAAAFAY/eJBfoW0pFfk/s1600/bunk%2Bbeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y85f6MuupEQ/VVOVJKDiI0I/AAAAAAAAFAY/eJBfoW0pFfk/s320/bunk%2Bbeds.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Parenthood brings
a lot of unwanted guilt. Again, why
didn’t I read the small print before signing up for this?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guilt because
you’ve lost patience and maybe snapped (okay, yelled) at your child. Guilt because they asked you for a small
treat in their lunch box and because it is not treat Friday you had to say
no. Guilt because you were just too damn
tired to run a bath for four kids so they went to bed with dirt under their
fingernails. Guilt because there was
only enough milk left for the morning and no was said to a bed time hot
chocolate because you really really didn’t want to get in the car and drive to
buy more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guilt because
guilt begets guilt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bedtime guilt is
one of the bigger ones, I feel. It is
the end of the day and energy levels are not so much low as almost completely
and utterly depleted. Bedtime becomes a
rushed affair. No you may not have
something to eat. The toothbrushes are
lined up, pyjamas in separate piles and water bottles filled. Rush, rush, rush to get a pyjamas on a child
who needs assistance and another who is just so slow it drives you crazy and
pushes your patience to the limits. A
request for one to wash their face and hands and when they refuse rudely you
tussle with giving out to them or suddenly suffering from selective hearing because
it’s just not worth a meltdown at 8pm of an evening.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then there are the
shenanigans that happen when they finally troop upstairs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “I want you to read the bed time story. Daddy can’t do the posh voice for Reginald
Rake.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I want you to
bring me up to bed. I want you to listen
to my Two Good Things.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I need you to
give me a carry. Mine legs are asleep.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And on it goes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I honestly believe
a decent 10 minutes spent with them at tucking-in time, reaps massive benefits.
But sometimes I just don't have the energy and I'll admit these are the nights
I take a glass of wine up with me.
Arrest me now! But as long as
they get their "mammy time" at bedtime, it mostly, usually, sometimes
sees them all asleep in about 10 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other times one of
them will, without fail, reappear in about ten minutes looking for a drink or
cream to be rubbed in somewhere or to tell me a fascinating detail about Xbox.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes the four
year old can be heard thundering about as he enjoyed a decadent three hour nap
earlier on that day and is wide awake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But two out of
four really do fall asleep in approximately ten minutes and as long as I’ve got
my ear phones plugged in and the thundering about isn’t too thundering, I can
ignore it all. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mostly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the guilt of
it. The guilt gets me every time. I'm at home with my lot all day and I still
feel guilty if I don't put them to bed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone else?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-25983691736653248762015-04-29T12:57:00.003-07:002015-04-29T13:31:22.346-07:00I Am Glad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otUFZExcDSM/VUE3nQb4IsI/AAAAAAAAE8U/J6nxPhUBlnk/s1600/poppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otUFZExcDSM/VUE3nQb4IsI/AAAAAAAAE8U/J6nxPhUBlnk/s1600/poppy.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As another day
draws to a close and I chase my boys up the stairs and into their beds, hoping
they’ll stay there, I am glad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glad that all I have
to deal with is the boring minutiae of every day life such as school runs,
homework, uniforms, and meals, cooking and cleaning. Thankful that I don’t have anything more
serious than that to contend with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What troubles me
and my family can be sorted and is being sorted. But for others it goes on. Never really goes away. It’s always there in the background,
insidious and evil. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We never know what
the person we chatted to in the supermarket is going through. What they are going home to or what they are
escaping from. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Always be a little
kinder than necessary. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYZkAMIV4mY/VUE3ns4WGXI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/Nimp1bL0nF8/s1600/kinder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYZkAMIV4mY/VUE3ns4WGXI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/Nimp1bL0nF8/s1600/kinder.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As our world grows
ever bigger, louder, competitive and busy, we are all still trying to get </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">through the same day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each with our own
troubles and difficulties.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Say hello. Smile.
Tell that harassed looking mother in the school yard or supermarket that
she is doing a great job. Buy that
suspended coffee in your local café. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try not to
judge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s a funny old
world filled with even funnier people. Sometimes
it’s so funny it can reduce you to tears.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we’re in
it. And we’re in it together. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s room for
us all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Move over. Push up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your problems
could be worse. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mine too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-7246065462971249662015-03-18T12:32:00.000-07:002015-03-18T12:32:11.312-07:00Clocking Off!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odScwdu78e0/VQmrdKOUFtI/AAAAAAAAE0A/X3MYcGQHc4I/s1600/clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odScwdu78e0/VQmrdKOUFtI/AAAAAAAAE0A/X3MYcGQHc4I/s1600/clock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pic: escapethroughalens.blogspot.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Someone once told me their mother used to
“clock off” at 10pm each night without fail.
If he or any of his siblings had the audacity to approach her after this
time, they were given short shrift. He
said she stuck to her guns; she neither would nor could not be moved. Whatever it was they needed or couldn’t find,
they were on their own.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was both horrified and aghast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10pm!
Cripes. I’m dragging my sorry arse up to bed at 10pm not winding down
for the night. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No siree.
My clocking off period is 8pm and I fully intend to stick to it over the
years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids will keep taking and talking and
finding ways to entrap me and snare me back into their little world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If they want to have a vital conversation
about a rock or Terraria (Minecraft or some such) I will nod enthusiastically
at a more palatable hour such as 6pm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have my own very important stuff to be
getting on with thank you kindly and it is of utmost importance that they know
that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my absolute pet peeves (and I have a
few) is people who are constantly late or keep me waiting as they faff around
looking for their keys/wallet or bag. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It irks me greatly that they seem to be of
the opinion my time is not important.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which is why I covet those two hours
between the hours of 8 and 10pm. I am
most selfish about them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here’s the moan. I’ll get the disclaimer bit out of the way
first.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love my kids. I wouldn’t be without them. I am so glad at this stage in my life when I
am fast approaching the beginning of the end of my child bearing days that I
will never wake up and go <i>shit! </i>I’ve
left it too late and now I might not be able to have kids.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a factor all of those moons ago
when starting a family was imminent. And
low and behold, once I started I found it hard to stop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But stop I did.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids will take it out of ya, let me tell
you. I feel great at the moment. I know who I am and what I want in life and
am at that great *old* age where I don’t particularly give a shit if I’m not
cool or in with the crowd or what people think about me. I don’t fear missing out on anything anymore.
Chances are it probably wasn’t all that great anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I do completely and utterly feel like
the best years of my life are slipping by.
I regularly project 10 years into the future when the boys are of an age
where they can look after themselves.
The oldest will be 19 and hopefully even living somewhere else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes.
I am that mother.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See that bit about *old* age and not caring
about what others think of me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I also have to remind myself that I too
will be 10 years older and that puts me firmly in my fifties.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I actually had to pause a moment before I
could type that. All of the other
milestone birthdays didn’t cost me a thought but I will struggle with the big
five oh. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am already struggling with it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to my original gripe. Will I be able to run almost 10k when I am in
my fifties like I can today?
(Finally!) Will I have any
interest left or energy to do things?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will I still be writing? God, I hope so. In fact I hope what I am doing today is
putting down groundwork for proper writing down the line. You know that old fantasy – turn your hobby
into your job and you’ll never work a day in your life again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want that. Even in my fifties. I have grand old thoughts about going to bed
at 3 and 4am (I used to in my twenties before I gave the whole thing up)
because I am caught up in something and trying to finish it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not snatching a useless ten minutes here
and there before I am dragged off to do something.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am feeling very frustrated at the moment
because I simply cannot get the head space in which to do my stuff. I have been given another opportunity to
branch out and try something else and pesky mundane things like cooking and
school runs and washing and homework and all of that minutiae shite is in the
way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know there are many of me out there. I see it every day. People swallowed alive by life. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is good, life is pretty good but at the
moment it just doesn’t feel like mine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you if you are still reading. I don’t
mean to drag you down. I’m just letting
off a little steam. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I toyed long and hard about posting this one. And then I received some very welcoming words
recently from someone who says she has been here too and how the future only
brings better things. More fabulous
things. It came in the midst of other
people admitting their own frustrations about their own lack of headspace and
time away from the kids. So here it
is. I’ve published it. Go easy on me. These are my genuine thoughts and I can’t
help the way I feel when I am caught up in a funk. It will pass the way it always does. Again, thank you for reading.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found <a href="http://www.independent.ie/life/doing-it-for-the-kids-31048936.html" target="_blank">this article</a> by Sarah Caden of the Irish
Independent somewhat reassuring if you care to have a read. Seems like we all go through feelings of
doubt and uncertainty at times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-18581583065151016072015-02-25T12:17:00.000-08:002015-02-25T12:17:41.050-08:00I Only Have Two Hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZw5Sg1WK78/VOdfQuNf7tI/AAAAAAAAEtg/WG0ukJ6_I9c/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZw5Sg1WK78/VOdfQuNf7tI/AAAAAAAAEtg/WG0ukJ6_I9c/s1600/hands.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I AM VERY fond of telling my boys there are
four of them and only one of me. I may
look like there is plenty of me to go round but I still only have one pair of
hands, one set of ears and I can only move so fast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the mornings, for example, I make
pancakes for the boy’s breakfast. They usually
have one each and I make them one at a time.
Even if I did possess two pans, I still can’t see myself taking both out
of a morning. Oldest Boy gets his
first. He’s always the hungriest. By the time I’m handing him his second,
someone else is looking for their first. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“How come I’m not getting one?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You will.
I only have two hands. Give me a
chance, please.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smallest Boy likes to have “a person”
present when he visits the bathroom. I’m
not sure if he likes the company or lacks the confidence to go by his own
self. Of which he is very capable. But sometimes the mess he makes due to
leaving it to the last minute is not worth it, so I accompany him when he
asks. It is when I am tending to him in
the bathroom I hear,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Where’s my dinner? I’m hungry!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’ll be with you in a minute. Can’t you see I’m a bit busy? I only have two hands. Give me a chance, please.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bed time with kids probably plays out the
same way in every household. There are
pyjamas to be found, maybe a child needs a hand getting off a pair of jeans and
pulling on a pyjama top. Then the
toothbrushes need to be sorted. I try to
give them all different colours – we use two types of toothpaste so anything
that sorts out the who’s who of toothbrushes helps. I start brushing teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Where’s my water bottle? I can’t go to bed without my water bottle.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s on the counter top. Open your eyes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“They <i>are
</i>open. And it’s not there. Where <i>is
</i>it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I only have two hands. Give me a chance!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boy’s favourite treat is a pile of
jellies with a Malteser or two thrown in to mix it up. I divide them into little piles of four. I hand the nearest two kids their share. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Hey!
That’s not fair! How come I don’t
get any?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You <i>are
</i>getting some. I only have two hands. Can you wait a moment, please?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m sitting down at the computer or having
a quiet cup of tea. Smallest Boy comes
up to me with his sock for a cuddle. I lift
him up onto my knee and he snuggles in. We
sit in quiet companionship. I sip my tea
or type with one hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A short while later another of the boys
wanders over and wraps his arm around my shoulder. I get a kiss on my cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I put down my cup or stop typing and holding
onto Smallest Boy with one hand I wrap my free one around his big brother to
return the hug.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The three of us sit in quiet companionship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I only have two hands but it looks like there
is plenty of me to go round after all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-71683119560631869212015-01-28T10:31:00.001-08:002015-01-28T10:31:55.664-08:00I Have Freckles. <div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IE0zHWcIdng/VMjiReoTuNI/AAAAAAAAEiA/8ijnlXLRU_Q/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IE0zHWcIdng/VMjiReoTuNI/AAAAAAAAEiA/8ijnlXLRU_Q/s1600/me.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">YAY! I GOT nominated.
I am going to cheat and present my 7 random facts in a blog post format. I hope that’s ok. It’s been a slow week on the Wonderful Wagon
front.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here we go!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2HpU4IQPtQ/VMjZxCLJdxI/AAAAAAAAEh0/bmDFClXdchI/s1600/seven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2HpU4IQPtQ/VMjZxCLJdxI/AAAAAAAAEh0/bmDFClXdchI/s1600/seven.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mysticalnumbers.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have freckles.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All
over my body. On my eyelids. A couple on my lip.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look like a speckled pancake.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Except for my back.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On my back is a perfect outline of a swimming
togs; the sort we used to wear around the garden as kids when the summers were
always hot.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also have a freckle over my left iris.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No idea what it
is except sometimes I can get inside your head.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m a mom driver. In that
I will do the school runs, get the shopping and that’s about it. I am not confident enough behind the wheel to
venture into unknown territory. I would rather ask my almost 9 year old to
take the wheel than do it myself. If you
want a laugh or fancy taking your life into your own hands, get me to
reverse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hate butter. I may
have mentioned this before. But I want
to kill it. It, to me, is the vilest
most disgusting, sick making vomitus substance that was ever invented. I have almost cried at many a dinner table
when a gorgeous Sunday roast was served only to find melted butter on the peas,
the spuds, the carrots, flowing like lava over the turnip, and the ultimate of
vegetable crimes, <i>on the corn on the cob.
</i> I remember being at a birthday party
as a child and the mammy telling me I couldn’t have anything nice until I ate
the sandwiches because I always got “a good dinner” when I got in from school. No. I didn’t
eat the sandwiches. They were the
typical more butter than bread variety. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love a bottle of white wine. Yes, I said bottle. But I didn’t always. In fact I hated it once upon a time. I thought it was vinegar and always opted for
a pint instead. These days I hate pints
and would take hand and all off you for a bottle of white wine. I’m a bit partial to Pinot Griot. See, I got snobby with it as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a mad scar on my right knee going from one side to
the other from the time it was ripped open because I wasn’t paying attention
and had an argument with a car. Let that
be a lesson to you. It’s not as bad
looking as it once was. But it’s still
kind of numb and it gives me the heebie jeebies to touch it. It’s as bald as an egg too. Which is kind of handy. Oh, and I like to tell little kids that a
shark did it but I tasted rotten so he spat me out. And if they ever meet a one-eyed shark on their
travels, that would be the one I punched in the nose to make him spit me out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hurt easily. Yes, I
do. You mightn’t think it but if someone
says something shitty to me I dwell on that and nothing else for literally 48
hours. I run it through my head over and
over again, all of the different variations, the different sharp, snappy
retorts I could have said instead of standing there with my mouth open like a
goldfish trying to hide my brain frantically going “don’t cry! Don’t cry! Don’t
let them make you cry.” And then I go off and cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like to think I am fairly in tune with my body. I can feel when a blue is coming on. There are times when the racket my boys make
can reduce me to tears. I am jumpy and suffer with sensory overload. It is during these times I need total and
absolute time to myself. Silence. No-one near me, touching me, asking for
stuff, putting even the tiniest of demands on me. Sometimes when I am dropping off to sleep at
night the most random, horrifying scene regarding any one of my kids will pop
into my head. I have to work really hard
at shutting it out. “It’s not real. That won’t happen. They’re next door to
you. They’re safe. <i>It’s
not real!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So to conclude, embrace your beauty marks, your scars, your C-section
map lines, your stretch marks. They tell the story of your life. Same goes for your likes and your
dislikes. They make up the map of
you. Your feelings are yours and no-one
has the right to tell you what to do with them.
Be proud of your body. It can do
amazing things. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Own it and make sure no-one else does.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-29642489754238508312014-12-10T09:51:00.000-08:002014-12-10T09:51:47.283-08:00Don't Stop Believin'<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcYAkDfTjv0/VICXEpP6V6I/AAAAAAAAET4/YOZ6wwJ3EU8/s1600/flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcYAkDfTjv0/VICXEpP6V6I/AAAAAAAAET4/YOZ6wwJ3EU8/s1600/flower.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gopixpic.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I HAD a brief internal struggle with something recently. Nothing too major, life altering or important
but for me it was the principle of the thing.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was caught up in a will I or won’t I debacle? I knew I should
and that I’d be raging with myself if I didn’t.
But at the same time I was fearful of appearing greedy and needy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I let it sit for a while and mulled it over. I have a habit of acting on impulse. I get a message from someone and I answer
immediately – “that sounds great! Let’s
do that.” Or “sure, I can do that,” and
then discover it doesn’t suit either me or my timetable and I’m suddenly caught
up in something that morphs from something enjoyable and into a complete stress
fest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I try to rein myself in a little. And I’m glad I did because I managed to
compose a short, to the point request without appearing whingey, needy or “gimmie
goddammit” and sat back to see what the response would be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I suppose I should explain a bit. I’ve been working at something
for a while now and it has, for the most part, been positively received but
with no real [monetary] value placed on it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That had always been the understanding between parties and
initially I was okay with that. We all
have to start somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then things picked up a notch and in times of drought, I was
asked to contribute a bit more. I was
pleased to have been asked. I can
deliver. I’m good at meeting deadlines
and I enjoy it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it started to rankle.
A little at first and then a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I can come up with the goods at the last minute (and
before deadline) surely I’ve proved my worth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I took the bull by the horns, gently, sent off that
message and waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guess what? I got a
lovely and favourable response that made me very very glad I had stuck my neck
out there, took the bull by the horns and just went for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don’t ask you won’t get, as the saying goes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I asked and I got.
Not a lot but it’s still more than I had in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it has also given me a little boost and encouraged me to
quit the quitting thoughts and keep going for another while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That in itself has to be something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-43225152877794116602014-11-12T09:21:00.000-08:002014-11-12T09:21:53.308-08:00The Jack & Jill Foundation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oh5i3wN--l8/VGOS_bGIx4I/AAAAAAAAEQw/KpzoFtBpg4c/s1600/J%26J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="//1.bp.blogspot.com/-oh5i3wN--l8/VGOS_bGIx4I/AAAAAAAAEQw/KpzoFtBpg4c/s1600/J%26J.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lilyobriens.ie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I GIVE OUT. I give
out a lot. I could say, “Doesn’t
everyone?” and throw in, “so do a lot of mother’s,” but I am not using my
“position” as a parent to get out of this one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I try to see the good in every situation, in every day and
in people. It’s not always easy. Sometimes
it’s downright difficult if a tad impossible.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I try. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the back of it all, however, I am <i>always</i> aware of one thing; I’ve got four fine, healthy, hale and
hearty boys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Countless people, those older and wiser than me, have often commented
whenever I complained about my boys wrecking the house or running riot
somewhere they shouldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Wouldn’t it be worse if they weren’t able to?” they say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, it would. It
would be unimaginable. I <i>cannot</i> imagine it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet there are parents out there who are not imagining it but
living it. Their kids are not so hale,
not so hearty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their kids are sick.
Perhaps terminally so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My hale and hearty kids have never known an honest days
illness in their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this I am eternally, absolutely grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the summer I entered a competition in conjunction
with the RTE Guide and Poolbeg Publishing House inviting parents to submit a
500 word original story. Twenty of which
were to be selected and compiled in a children’s book entitled Once Upon a
Bedtime with all proceeds from sales going towards The Jack & Jill
Foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was delighted to learn that my story, <i>Declan the Fire Breathing Dragon</i>, was one of the winning entries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was always aware of The Jack & Jill Foundation but on
a peripheral level only. Thanks to my healthy kids. Parents at the school gates mentioned how they
would have been lost without the respite they received. The care and support offered to and provided
for those children with severe neurological and developmental issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s the medical bit. But there’s more. CEO Jonathan Irwin highlighted
how truly heart-breaking illness can be for families on a radio talk show
recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s a desperate
world. You cannot be in it. You’re exhausted, you’re traumatised, you get
no sleep. An awful lot of partnerships
and marriages that might have had a little crack in them break up. It completely destroys the childhood of the
siblings, and it doesn’t stop there; it ripples into the grandparents, the
uncles, aunts, friends. Everything. It is a most negative influence all for this
little person who means you no harm at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And still I did not fully grasp the extent of their reach. The
medical support provided is vital for the families of sick children. But there is also the emotional side of
it. Most of us expect and take for granted the fact
that we can escape every so often. Even if
it is only a quick catch up at the school gate.
What happens when you can’t even snatch those few minutes to yourself? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last few minutes of the interview brought it home for
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We [The Jack &
Jill Foundation] bring the gift of time to get your hair done, to go to the
supermarket, to take the children to a match or to a pantomime or on holiday
because without it [time] I don’t know how people survive.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neither do I. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqRZ8LfSIbE/VGOSr3hULLI/AAAAAAAAEQo/e4_UhYcl7rc/s1600/rte%2Bguide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqRZ8LfSIbE/VGOSr3hULLI/AAAAAAAAEQo/e4_UhYcl7rc/s320/rte%2Bguide.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Once Upon a Bedtime </i>is
on sale now in bookshops nationwide RRP €14.99<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-26903968203337280252014-10-22T05:27:00.002-07:002014-10-22T05:27:25.111-07:00Today I am Grateful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7n69KfB4VrQ/VEeiK_8WSxI/AAAAAAAAEJY/9UsW4vxJTkg/s1600/gavin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7n69KfB4VrQ/VEeiK_8WSxI/AAAAAAAAEJY/9UsW4vxJTkg/s1600/gavin.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ON A DAY when a small <a href="https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCMQqQIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.ie%2Fnews%2Fgavin-glynn-sadly-passes-away-30683711.html&ei=QqJHVNjgIamr7AasqIGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNE2iLCfn6uDDRN9bW-mX7M41vtwEw" target="_blank">four year old warrior</a> lost his battle
against cancer, I am grateful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a day when there is usually a good chance I will let a
few roars at the boys and issue the usual empty threats, today I will give hugs
and smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I will let them jump in every single puddle they meet
on the way back to the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I will let whoever has the tap on full blast in the
bathroom, enjoy the hand washing without stressing about the mess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I won’t care about dirty faces and hands and how it
will get rubbed onto school uniforms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful that the seven year old went swimming this
morning and his older brother will be playing football after school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful that my smallest boy opted to eat only
his Yorkshire pudding at dinner and two small pieces of chicken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful that my house was too warm and I needed
to turn down the heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am grateful that my Junior Infant still wants me to walk
him into his classroom each morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for the large pile of toy cars and
wooden building blocks that litter the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am grateful for the rain.
For the roast chicken dinner in my belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for my hale and hearty boys who run and
shout and fight. Who hug and kiss and
thump and punch. I am grateful for their
noise, for the constant demands. I am
grateful for their washing, for their laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am grateful for life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-44594213087680089512014-09-10T11:28:00.001-07:002014-09-10T11:28:18.454-07:00Over the Hump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wb-l8lYwSRY/VBB6MxsQXrI/AAAAAAAAEBk/YJitzAMDzf0/s1600/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wb-l8lYwSRY/VBB6MxsQXrI/AAAAAAAAEBk/YJitzAMDzf0/s1600/butterfly.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My 5 year old looks older than his years. A lot older.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last September I was bombarded with people asking him was he
all set for Big School. He had just
turned four.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the supermarket his health was regularly asked
after. I made the connection after the
fourth “is he sick?” People assumed he
wasn’t well and was off school. He had just turned four.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that he is in Big School, last week a mum thought it was
lovely he was in the classroom checking on his little brother. Anther wide-eyed and taken aback reaction
when I said that he was the actual <i>Naíonán
Beaga </i>(Junior Infant).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My 5 year old could pass for a 7 year old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is in school as I write this. Sitting at his <i>bord </i>(table) with the other <i>paistí
</i>(children) learning how to count <i>as
Gaeilge </i>(in Irish).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He cried a little going into his <i>seomra ranga</i> (classroom) this morning. And Monday.
And Tuesday. His hugs are getting tighter. More frequent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He tries to hide his upset from his <i>múinteoir</i> (teacher) and classmates but doesn’t quite manage
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today might be Wednesday, mid-week, but my 5 year old is not
over the hump yet.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-20806560417737638992014-09-03T09:39:00.000-07:002014-09-03T09:39:36.333-07:00Unsolicited Advice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RNgH7bGIloQ/VAc8-fX7OSI/AAAAAAAAEAM/w2vmP9JEUZ4/s1600/oscar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RNgH7bGIloQ/VAc8-fX7OSI/AAAAAAAAEAM/w2vmP9JEUZ4/s1600/oscar.jpg" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Daithí O Sé made headlines earlier on this
year when he expressed his annoyance over the deluge of child-birth advice he
and his wife, Rita Talty, were receiving pending the arrival of their first
child. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The verbose Kerry man is not the first and
he certainly will not be the last new parent to be on the receiving end of
unwanted pearls of wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is practically impossible for an
“experienced” parent to keep their lips zipped when they see a gloriously
heavily pregnant person about to give birth.
They feel the need to educate others about what is ahead and regale them
with all they should or should not be thinking of doing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admit to being guilty of this crime at
times too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I try very, <i>very</i> hard to keep my thoughts to myself when I see the glowing
parents of a new-born. I say glowing
because we all know the grey, ashen pallor appears approximately 7 days following
the birth shortly after the euphoria has worn off, beaten into whimpering
submission by sleep deprivation, constant crying, leaking body parts (sorry!),
the lack of showers and food, time for yourself and not to mention worrying
about the baby.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because I’ve been there. I <i>know</i>. Let them, the new parents, stay on cloud nine
for as long as they can. Try not to
inform them it won’t last; that new-borns don’t sleep forever. Resist advising them to take a photo of their
beautiful showroom house as it stands because before long their peacefully slumbering
baby boy will be running around trashing it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don’t tell them teething will be hell. Hold back on what can be the nightmare surrounding
introducing solids followed by constipation and more food splattered on the
walls than is ingested. Stay schtum on the
pain of immunisations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Refrain from insisting the enrolment of
their baby in the nearest school <i>first
thing </i>because current waiting lists are unbelievable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a mother of four boys, very different
boys I might add, there are only a handful of things I have taken from my 8
years of parenting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the gems that made things a tad
easier for me are as follows. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s2qVVgcVke0/VAc9OZxlwnI/AAAAAAAAEAU/VNMcuN2YXLk/s1600/advice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s2qVVgcVke0/VAc9OZxlwnI/AAAAAAAAEAU/VNMcuN2YXLk/s1600/advice.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
too shall pass<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It might not be a welcome statement, seem
very helpful or even make a whole lot of sense when you are experiencing temporary
insanity from lack of sleep, but it really is true. Even the worst day is only
24 hours long and taking that day one five minute segment at a time, will see
you falling face down back into your bed in no time. Albeit perhaps for just
three hours before you are forced out of it again, but before you know it you
will be helping your child blow out the candle on their first birthday cake and
marvelling at how fast time goes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Striking
a balance<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ll be completely honest. This one flummoxed me and I felt inadequate
for not having found mine so I decided it was another one of those media
makey-uppey catch phrases. With four small boys running me ragged and no child
care, I realised all I wanted was ten minutes to have an uninterrupted cup of
coffee not half a day to have my highlights done. Finding your balance can be reading a book,
taking a shower <i>alone,</i> or even just
pushing the trolley around the supermarket at your leisure without a little one
keeping you company. As long as it’s
your time off and it happens regularly that’s balance enough for the moment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebHVtom6jNE/VAdCVzmpBTI/AAAAAAAAEAg/iYrqQRMxZk8/s1600/advice2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebHVtom6jNE/VAdCVzmpBTI/AAAAAAAAEAg/iYrqQRMxZk8/s1600/advice2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-IE">What
works for one child will not necessarily work for the next</span></b><span lang="EN-IE"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend recently expressed her shock when
neither of her children were born a blank canvass, as she had expected. Like adults, children are hard wired in their
own unique way, all of them possessing little quirks, likes and dislikes. Two of my boys were dreadful sleepers and one
gifted me a full night’s sleep at just 6 weeks old. Three of them refused to nap in anything
except the buggy and the youngest demanded zed’s in his cot. One ate cardboard as if it was top of the
food pyramid whereas his three younger siblings wolfed down vegetables. Wouldn’t it be a boring world, after all, if
everyone was the same?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pick
your battles<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With my first son, I was a tad obsessive
about his daytime naps. They absolutely
had to be at the same time each day and in his cot. Upstairs.
When I finally relaxed and admitted a spell in the travel cot downstairs
wouldn’t make me a bad mother I realised how miserable we both had been as
slaves to a regimented routine that wasn’t working. Once I allowed my son, not the clock, decide
when <i>he </i>was tired he fell into his
own routine. And began to sleep at the
same time every day. When my second son
developed a strong attachment to his Spiderman costume I told myself at least
he was dressed and the padded muscles would keep him warm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jlcvPzwJaU/VAdCfx-ILPI/AAAAAAAAEAo/LIARyQ2uFJM/s1600/advice3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2jlcvPzwJaU/VAdCfx-ILPI/AAAAAAAAEAo/LIARyQ2uFJM/s1600/advice3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-IE">The
days are long but the years are short</span></b><span lang="EN-IE"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is the end of yet another 15 hour day
and all you’ve eaten is a banana, 6 Haribo jellies and tanked up on two gallons
of coffee. You didn’t get near the
overflowing laundry basket. Again. The slice of toast that landed sticky side
down is still under the table and the bathroom beggar’s belief. Will it ever end? On days like this I look to my own mother for
strength and to increase my morale. She
had twice the number of children I do.
She didn’t drive, was without a telephone and the internet hadn’t been
invented yet. She got through it and I
believe, because I have to, that I will too.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am still learning to keep my mouth firmly
shut even if I am not always successful in this department. For this lapse I apologise, I really do
because there is nothing worse than a “been there, done that” parent telling
you stuff. Because it is always their
stuff and their stuff most likely will not make even the tiniest dent in your
parenting experience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I offer you my final, and perhaps truest,
piece of advice. Take what works for you and leave the rest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-34104133933792516722014-08-28T12:03:00.000-07:002014-08-28T12:29:34.218-07:00I like to Break Shit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYe4O7c5eqo/U_98nzzKRDI/AAAAAAAAD_M/zhLcagkoriE/s1600/2014-08-28%2B20.02.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYe4O7c5eqo/U_98nzzKRDI/AAAAAAAAD_M/zhLcagkoriE/s1600/2014-08-28%2B20.02.50.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ANOTHER lovely ceramic bowl, one I had been using as a fruit
bowl, died this evening. I’ve had it a
long time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are little ramekin bowls to match but they don’t get
used much. I like to store loose change
in those.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes cups and the odd plate die in our house too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not unrelated but I like to swear. When I say like to I mean I can’t help it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*yes, you can*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, I can’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*yes. You. Can.*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh shut the fuck up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I experience a feeling of such release when I let loose with
foul language. It really takes the boil
off my pressure cooker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yes, the odd time I swear in front of the boys. I am aware of this and working on not doing
that at least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But something is well and truly lost when you just mouth the
word or say it in your head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not the same thing at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See, I suffer from frustration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Don’t we all, dear?*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Piss off you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get frustrated when I don’t get “me time.” Who invented that anyway? Weren’t we a much happier bunch without it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I need my “me time.” My downtime. Alone.
With no-one at me, touching me in the slightest way. If I see one of the boys even walking in my
direction, my skin crawls with the need to be left alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all need that space.
And if we choose to spend it looking out the window, so be it. We need to do what works for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when I am on the go all the time I get antsy. I become short tempered. Cross. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miserable and I feel trapped.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like I am being swallowed alive and I need
to do something to release that feeling.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I swear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And sometimes I break stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like ceramic fruit bowls.
Cups, the odd plate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMfng452An8/U_98oBf3uvI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/RYfpXcoCus0/s1600/2014-08-28%2B20.03.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMfng452An8/U_98oBf3uvI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/RYfpXcoCus0/s1600/2014-08-28%2B20.03.02.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not this one. This one makes good coffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not have butter fingers. I am not clumsy. I am human.
I am a mother who sometimes feels broken with the constant demands of
her children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a mother who swears and breaks her crockery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I fucking enjoy it!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-6191037627818981942014-08-20T10:33:00.002-07:002014-08-20T10:33:52.146-07:00Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLEeQqt3AKI/U_TZMqfWtVI/AAAAAAAAD8g/yFAer-wMyxw/s1600/today.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLEeQqt3AKI/U_TZMqfWtVI/AAAAAAAAD8g/yFAer-wMyxw/s1600/today.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">IT’S like that old expression; troubles come in three’s. I’m not a bit superstitious and mostly I believe
we make our own troubles. I know there
are some unavoidable hic-coughs like receiving the school books by courier and discovering
the order is not complete. Like your dog
getting sick three times in two months. And
your car receiving its death knell. (It
is a teenager after all)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But have you noticed that nice things happen in threes as
well. And fives. And sevens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And they may not be mad, crazy epic things either. Just the small things that make you sit up
and take notice like the rainbow that stretches over the roof of your house and
it is so clear, so bright it takes your breath away. Like the seven fluffy little Wagtail birds
that like to hang out in the garden. Like
that random chat with the lady in the supermarket/coffee shop/newsagents that
was about nothing and everything but stayed with you for the rest of the day. Like when your child tells you “you’re the
best mammy in the world” as you say goodnight to them. Like when your small boy brings you imaginary
cappuccinos on a daily basis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuff like that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today seemed to be teeming with feel good titbits starting with
a lovely walk by the river with the boys and our decidedly perkier Juno dog
this morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVzgjvtz1fY/U_TYsm3JA9I/AAAAAAAAD74/fcOvbgypc3w/s1600/2014-08-20%2B11.19.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVzgjvtz1fY/U_TYsm3JA9I/AAAAAAAAD74/fcOvbgypc3w/s1600/2014-08-20%2B11.19.09.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ours is a heritage town located on the River Barrow with a
well-worn track that goes as far as you feel like walking from the centre of
the town. And indeed there were loads of
people using it from joggers to cyclists and a random family with a dog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After that, guilty conscience appeased because the dog had a
walk, we dropped her home and drove to the glorious <a href="http://www.deltasensorygardens.com/the_gardens" target="_blank">Delta Sensory Gardens, Carlow</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0joHJ708c8/U_TYduDSvII/AAAAAAAAD7w/Hqy5VS92eAw/s1600/2014-08-20%2B12.30.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0joHJ708c8/U_TYduDSvII/AAAAAAAAD7w/Hqy5VS92eAw/s1600/2014-08-20%2B12.30.07.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Health & Wellness Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxzKCI8D-TI/U_TYyPTIHrI/AAAAAAAAD8A/xX4CJgn_yaQ/s1600/2014-08-20%2B12.46.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxzKCI8D-TI/U_TYyPTIHrI/AAAAAAAAD8A/xX4CJgn_yaQ/s1600/2014-08-20%2B12.46.53.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Giant Jenga anyone?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This place is amazing.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a veritable delight with something for everyone. We don’t go often
enough.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our last visit was approximately
the same time last year and if it was possible, the gardens looked lovelier
with a couple of new features.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQcWzMGRr9Y/U_TZDPA4_xI/AAAAAAAAD8I/kLl6I3j0ydU/s1600/2014-08-20%2B13.04.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQcWzMGRr9Y/U_TZDPA4_xI/AAAAAAAAD8I/kLl6I3j0ydU/s1600/2014-08-20%2B13.04.01.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The thistle fountain. Bring a change of clothes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I82YoxIWTTE/U_TZIfpzZUI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/XoJ52dMuSNA/s1600/2014-08-20%2B13.06.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I82YoxIWTTE/U_TZIfpzZUI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/XoJ52dMuSNA/s1600/2014-08-20%2B13.06.34.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Music Room. Also bring a change of clothes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys loved it. “Double
thanks for bringing us here!” “This
place rocks!” and “I want a garden like this!” *that may have been me!* <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the best feel good part of the day, for me at least, was
bumping into one of my very early primary school teachers in the gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recognised her straight away and before I knew it, I was re-introducing
myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This lady had a huge impact on me in school. I couldn’t have been more than ten years old
and I can still remember her lessons. She
favoured talking to her students instead of reading from books. She didn’t sit behind her desk, but liked to
lean against it as she chatted to us. She
engaged with us all and I feel that was the secret of her prowess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still remember her telling us all to express our dissatisfaction
with service or an item in any shop because if we didn’t “things will never
change.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like my time in primary school, I could have stayed there
today chatting to her well into the afternoon.
If it wasn’t for a pesky child demanding that we go now, I probably
would have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a week with definite signs that summer 2014 is
closing its doors. It is now autumn. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">School is back next week. Already there are yellow, red and orange
leaves on some trees. I have started my
take-out coffee cup collection for our annual conker, acorn and beech planting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys have mentioned Christmas more than once. I have packed away the shorts and t-shorts as
they boys have requested long sleeves and pants. I may or may not have wrapped a scarf around
my neck a few times these past couple of weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xZ0iO7S8XM/U_TYKBMaeiI/AAAAAAAAD7o/9q3h7uvk_Xk/s1600/2014-08-10%2B16.30.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xZ0iO7S8XM/U_TYKBMaeiI/AAAAAAAAD7o/9q3h7uvk_Xk/s1600/2014-08-10%2B16.30.05.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we’re making the most of it. Making the most of the last few days before
the school gates open for 2014/2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this post, you might take three clicks out of your day to vote for me in the Irish Blog Awards 2014 for Best Blog Post.</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To see what you are paying for, as it were, <a href="http://www.wonderfulwagon.com/2014/06/in-conversation-with-lovely-liam.html" target="_blank">here</a> is a link to the post that is up for nomination. You can vote <a href="http://bit.ly/V36Juy" target="_blank">by clicking here</a> scrolling to Wonderful Wagon, clicking that and then clicking vote. I hate asking but I'm a cheeky devil! And thank you! Very much.</span></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-9366434802011832582014-08-13T11:44:00.001-07:002014-08-13T12:03:45.741-07:00Nanoo nanoo Robin Williams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp7UAVTMhXs/U-t6BkH_4vI/AAAAAAAAD48/ySjP6yo0Hxg/s1600/robin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp7UAVTMhXs/U-t6BkH_4vI/AAAAAAAAD48/ySjP6yo0Hxg/s1600/robin.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He must have been so tired.
He must have been under so much unwanted pressure. He must have felt so burdened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m talking about Robin Williams and his tragic death. Death by suicide as was reported by the media
and as a result splashed all over Facebook, the television and internet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5sBNZhfdkQ/U-t6A_cSdUI/AAAAAAAAD44/9Ylx1TxHcmA/s1600/robin%2Bwords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c5sBNZhfdkQ/U-t6A_cSdUI/AAAAAAAAD44/9Ylx1TxHcmA/s1600/robin%2Bwords.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robin Williams never made any secret of the fact he
struggled with depression. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With that comes a deep knowledge that everyone else is
affected by it too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine the stress of that.
Depression affects family, social groups, the workplace, the economy,
everything. Those who are depressed are cognizant
of this; of being surrounded by people watching, asking after them all of the
time, being concerned and worrying incessantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It can become a burden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine the strain of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NEkPQ-M3Is/U-t6A_jNxyI/AAAAAAAAD5A/NBueB2jBvXI/s1600/robin%2Bmadness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NEkPQ-M3Is/U-t6A_jNxyI/AAAAAAAAD5A/NBueB2jBvXI/s1600/robin%2Bmadness.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every time Robin Williams was interviewed he was lauded as a
genius, an amazing person, the funniest person alive, a force, inspired, and a
brilliant artist, gifted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe Robin Williams didn’t want to be all of those
things. Maybe he just wanted to <i>be</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every time he was interviewed it was mere minutes before he
morphed into one of his characters. He
was never himself. For long anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe he felt he couldn’t be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good Will Hunting saw him act in a state of unusual sobriety,
a less manic, less crazed persona. It
was a different Robin Williams to the one we had become used to; the fireball
of energy, unable to sit still and relax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bRAtM9vbbg/U-t6AvjZ_7I/AAAAAAAAD5U/0oCMgafyZxo/s1600/robin%2Balone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bRAtM9vbbg/U-t6AvjZ_7I/AAAAAAAAD5U/0oCMgafyZxo/s1600/robin%2Balone.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It must have been so tiring having to live up to his name
all of the time. Feeling like he had to
prove himself to everyone, to always be the funny man, the life and soul of the
party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robin Williams was also a husband, a father, a work
colleague, a friend and last but not least, an actor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was said on social media he had reached an unbearable
level of sadness and couldn’t deal with it anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The opinion of one in thousands of people discussing his
demise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is mine; I think Robin Williams was tired in the
end. Of it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RIP Robin Williams. 1951 - 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-33293498894316994102014-07-30T10:58:00.000-07:002014-07-30T10:58:28.991-07:00The Day my Dog Cried<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1bPWbSeSbc/U9fWIhMiBWI/AAAAAAAADyM/-ppU8ZhGtB4/s1600/2014-07-26+19.24.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1bPWbSeSbc/U9fWIhMiBWI/AAAAAAAADyM/-ppU8ZhGtB4/s1600/2014-07-26+19.24.50.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">IT WAS AS IF she knew.
Bags were being packed. Running
gear was driving her crazy with the prospect of a run but then it was being put
away. Toothbrushes were flung into another
bag alongside mobile phone and DS chargers.
But she wasn’t interested in any
of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the suitcases and the harried activity that had piqued
her curiousity. Something was afoot and
she wasn’t sure that she liked it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably the most disconcerting thing of all was when her
food and a large blanket were put in the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then her lead was plucked from under the stairs and she
could hardly contain her excitement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She knew it!
Something was definitely afoot.
Still not sure what exactly but the lead always meant a run
somewhere. She jumped into the car
without a backward glance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bitch! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was off to doggy camp for the week. Because her humans were going on
holidays. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without her. But she was oblivious to this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys had expressed mild distress about their pet going
to the kennels. Would she be okay? Are there other people there? Where will she sleep? Who will feed her? <i>Will </i>she
be fed? What will she do all day?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was glad I wasn’t the only one with concerns. The dog had been sick – a kidney infection –
and was very out of sorts. She perked up
considerably after three days and some anti-biotics. She had been glued to me that week. Even slept by my side of the bed. I couldn’t go upstairs or to the bathroom
without her shadowing me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D26E19gz0as/U9fWHgSyYJI/AAAAAAAADyE/uKJoMM0z66U/s1600/2014-07-26+19.25.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D26E19gz0as/U9fWHgSyYJI/AAAAAAAADyE/uKJoMM0z66U/s1600/2014-07-26+19.25.11.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now she was going to a strange place because her humans
were off to the beach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was time for her to go and on Mister Husband’s return I asked
him how she went. What’s it like down
there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Oh, a proper Auschwitz,” was his reply. And when he saw my face he said, “She’s
grand. It’s fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told him his back pedalling came too late. “You wait till you’re in your nursing
home. You’ll laugh then, I tell ya. If you are on an anti-biotic I’ll tell them
they have my full permission for one person to hold your nose and another to
force open your jaw. How about that? And
I’ll tell them you love suppositories, too.
Yes, I will. Plus you reckon
ammonia is great for softening the skin.
No need to change those incontinence pads.” I pointed my finger at him. “You. Just. Wait.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then we drove off to our rented holiday home. Smallest Boy got upset a couple of times and
asked to come home and to get our Juno girl.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We assured him she was okay at her doggy camp and he would
see her soon. I sent a text to Dougie in
the kennels on Monday morning and his swift response assured us that she was
indeed fine. She had made friends with
an identical twin – the only way to tell them apart was by their red and blue
collars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That seemed to put their minds at rest and they proceeded
with the job in hand which was to enjoy their holidays.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They did and before we knew it, I was telling them tomorrow
was the last day. Lots of “aawwwws” ensued but there was no denying it. All good things must come to an end and then
we were at the gates of the kennels and she was at the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crying when she saw us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you know dogs could cry?
I knew they could howl in anger, fear and excitement but up till then I
didn’t know they could cry. She didn’t
shed tears or anything but she whined.
And whined and keened and licked whatever part of my hands she could get
at through the wires.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ht1FYH4FeuA/U9fV9okcUII/AAAAAAAADx8/NKt3AKQ4TLQ/s1600/2014-07-26+18.36.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ht1FYH4FeuA/U9fV9okcUII/AAAAAAAADx8/NKt3AKQ4TLQ/s1600/2014-07-26+18.36.28.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then the gates were open and she was jumping up on me,
licking my face, my hands, still whining and keening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The car door was left open and she darted in to say hello to
everyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She spent the two minute drive home with her head stuck out
the car window, sniffing the air and when we arrived home, she was the first
one out of the car and up to the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went in and she has remained stuck to my side ever since.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dogs can cry. Who knew?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I certainly didn’t. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-9982529476679971312014-07-16T09:54:00.000-07:002014-07-16T09:54:07.028-07:00Joy Pockets for July 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyq8nsruaYs/U8ajIDUrkbI/AAAAAAAADuY/h4eur3D5WKo/s1600/sand+sculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyq8nsruaYs/U8ajIDUrkbI/AAAAAAAADuY/h4eur3D5WKo/s1600/sand+sculpture.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">WE are smack bang in the middle of July. Into our third week of school summer holidays
yet it feels like they have been off much longer. And not in a bad way. I am really, <i>really </i>enjoying the time off.
So I thought I would document some of my joy pockets for July. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The weather.</b> Isn’t it great? Already we have been blessed with long days
filled with hazy, warm, buttery yellow sunshine. The water sprinkler got put through its paces
so vigorously it is in a cracked heap on the grass. We are
a short and t-shirts house for the last 6 weeks or so and it is great. Really cuts down on the washing and gets
Vitamin D onto Irish skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>School Holidays.</b> I love them.
It’s crazy but it’s true. We seem
to be busier than ever but in a different way and we still manage to get
everything done because we are not clock watching. The first person to wake does so around 8 o’clock. It’s not me.
And by the time everyone else is up, pancakes are made, orange juice is
poured and everyone is full and happy. Ready
to meet the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Verruca(s).</b> A strange one, agreed. But my joy is we have managed to banish verrucas
on two boys all within weeks of each other.
We began the <a href="http://seriouswagon.blogspot.ie/2014/06/maximol-food-supplement-review.html" target="_blank">gentle treatment</a><b> </b>in
February of this year and saw great results.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The swimming pool. </b> What goes hand in hand with good weather? Besides ice-cream. The swimming pool. Or any kind of pool. We have been going to our <a href="http://www.kildareleisure.ie/index.php/athy-leisure-centre/" target="_blank">local leisure centre</a> every day and loving
it. Such is our enthusiasm, we wore
still wet swimming gear on a visit this week.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Alex and Ani bangles.</b> Just click on <a href="http://www.alexandani.com/bangles.html" target="_blank">this link </a>for gorgeousness. Be warned
– I went in to buy just one and ended up putting another aside. They. Are. Gorgeous. And I. Want. Them. All.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A certain inner calm.</b> Which is probably linked to the school holidays
and kicking back a little. I cannot tell
you (because you probably understand) what it is like not to be tied to a clock
each day. Not to be cooking meals all
the time. We take each day as it comes
and enjoy it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer reading.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I love a good read. Our second boy has discovered the joy of reading
lately. He is reading for pleasure and
not because it’s homework. It’s great to
see. I have my own library for our week
away but I am waiting on two more. It’s
hard when they are sitting there, looking at me and I want to keep them for
reading on the beach. It’s like having biscuits in your press; you know they’re
there but </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you shouldn’t. You can’t!</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RehHbxGvpOI/U8aiGQB9MJI/AAAAAAAADt4/JDZOy72_AL0/s1600/pop+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RehHbxGvpOI/U8aiGQB9MJI/AAAAAAAADt4/JDZOy72_AL0/s1600/pop+up.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pop Up Races.</b> A novel and fantastic idea, the brainchild of two brothers who take
their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/popup.races.5" target="_blank">5k pop up race</a> to a number of different towns each week. You can <a href="http://www.popupraces.ie/" target="_blank">register online </a> or sign up on the night.
They have been in Athy twice now with a fantastic turnout each
time. The 5k route takes place along the
banks of the scenic River Barrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My boys.</b> Not just
a Joy Pocket for July but for all year round.
Yes, it’s hard being around them all the time. Yes, it’s frustrating and boring. *she said <i>boring*
</i>Yes, she definitely said boring. That’s
because it <i>is</i> boring. But I am aware of how lucky I am to be with
them every day. After all, no-one else can
wipe backsides and serve up fresh pasta with an out-of-a-bag-sauce like I can. All
joking aside, now that I am out <a href="http://www.wonderfulwagon.com/2014/07/the-other-side.html" target="_blank">the other side</a> I can finally see how quickly time really does pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And with that in mind, I am determined to enjoy the rest of
the school break because after all, when else am I going to get a proper chance
to just kick back and enjoy life as it happens? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-7566718568645544462014-07-04T09:18:00.001-07:002014-07-04T09:18:49.639-07:00Five Friday Favourites.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm_ZpQVtAvY/U7bSD9IjAcI/AAAAAAAADoQ/qtq3pfEujGk/s1600/2014-07-03+14.05.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm_ZpQVtAvY/U7bSD9IjAcI/AAAAAAAADoQ/qtq3pfEujGk/s1600/2014-07-03+14.05.24.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HAS something shifted in your house since earlier this week? Has a certain calmness descended, a new
routine emerged?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With us it takes anything from a week to ten days for
everyone to adjust to a change in routine.
Specifically the transition from school time to school holiday time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe we have transitioned. (<i>Love </i>that
word. So damn satisfying)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s been a lovely week.
I thoroughly enjoyed it so I thought I might list five nice things that
happened on this, the seventh day of our school holidays and call them Five
Friday Favourites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sleep and Breakfast. </b>A
new routine in this department has definitely emerged. I haven’t been up before
8.30am most mornings then gotten dressed in a leisurely fashion instead of the
usual cartoon routine of washing my face and applying deodorant at the same
time whilst stepping over the dog on my way back to the bedroom. It has been another half hour before the last
person to wake up appears. I have also
gone from making pancakes twice a week to every flippin’ morning for
breakfast. It’s not a bad thing
though. I can make them in my sleep at
this point and they are a firm favourite with the boys. They never seem to tire of them and it means
they are nicely full for the most part of the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Swimming. </b>Every. Day. This has been absolute bliss. Lowering myself into the pool at 10am is
nothing short of hedonistic. One morning there were two other people enjoying
the water so we practically had the place to ourselves. Oh, the lads love it too in case you were
wondering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Picnics.</b> Well, we
managed one so far but it was a spur of the moment decision and despite
changing the venue at the last minute, it was a rip roaring success. Full of “thank you for bringing us” and “can
we come back?” and “that was <i>amazing!”</i>
after two hours of tearing about. And
all I did was cook two pizzas, a marshmallow brownie type desert and throw an
old curtain over the picnic bench. Even
the dog fell asleep when we got home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Journals. </b>The
older boys requested a journal each during the week in which to record their
“hunts,” “hunger games challenges” and “stories.” I broke into my notebook collection, (yes, I
have one) gave them each a pencil and off they went. Scribbling away and asking me how to spell
all sorts for the day. Great stuff to
watch and isn’t the way kids spell everything phonetically really funny and
endearing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Decking. Wine. Weather. </b>Bliss.
Bliss. Bliss. All three together. Throw in a good book and I was in heaven for
the first half of this week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jm0fNUCjHBk/U7bRShU0FII/AAAAAAAADnw/pcASx4aicmQ/s1600/2014-06-19+19.13.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jm0fNUCjHBk/U7bRShU0FII/AAAAAAAADnw/pcASx4aicmQ/s1600/2014-06-19+19.13.36.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other news, I worse a beige linen trousers on our picnic. Delighted with myself. Walked the small wood with four kids and one
dog and everything. Delighted with
myself. Later on that same day when I took
off the linen trousers I saw what I knew was a smushed lump of chocolate
brownie on the backside of it. But I
know the 67 people who saw me between the hours of 2pm and 11pm thought it was
shite!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLydb9_lDbY/U7bSdtxLd9I/AAAAAAAADoo/O4-_pUeB_tM/s1600/2014-07-04+16.55.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLydb9_lDbY/U7bSdtxLd9I/AAAAAAAADoo/O4-_pUeB_tM/s1600/2014-07-04+16.55.11.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, well. At least
there’s sleep again, right? Oh and
wine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-90334895003623187132014-07-02T10:34:00.000-07:002014-07-02T10:34:45.556-07:00What Summer is for.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YeHIB6-eFwQ/U7QzrvuGqjI/AAAAAAAADnQ/1g8dNaZHNRc/s1600/2014-06-17+14.03.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YeHIB6-eFwQ/U7QzrvuGqjI/AAAAAAAADnQ/1g8dNaZHNRc/s1600/2014-06-17+14.03.10.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.wonderfulwagon.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the winter I sit at the computer most afternoons. The boys do their homework, watch a bit of
the goggle box, play with Lego and eat snacks.
I write. Bits and pieces. Sometimes
actually finishing something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These days I am outside.
I sit on the decking outside the back door reading a book as the boys
jump on the trampoline or play with the water sprinkler. On the really, really hot days they stay
inside watching TV, opting to wait till after 6pm before they go out. Then it’s 10pm or after before they come in,
filthy, happy and demanding cereal with cold milk or hot chocolates with loads
of marshmallows. They always, even at
10pm, take them outside to the garden table and eat out there. I know once
they do this, I can say goodbye (or goodnight) to another half hour at least
before they come inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the way rain feels on my face. I like the bite of an
icy morning. I feel calm when it’s the stillness
of winter. But there is something special about summer sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something encouraging, driving, happy and warm. Something <i>alive.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So far this summer we have eaten our tea outside. A tea of pizza with a glass of wine for
me. Swam every day. Bought water pistols. Attended birthday parties. Declined paddling pool invitations because it
was too hot to drive and the boys were happy at home. Baked brownies. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z86zG_Xm8Dc/U7Qzx3gN7VI/AAAAAAAADnU/9X1DcYcaDd4/s1600/2014-06-23+14.09.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z86zG_Xm8Dc/U7Qzx3gN7VI/AAAAAAAADnU/9X1DcYcaDd4/s1600/2014-06-23+14.09.19.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.wonderfulwagon.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Discussed our own holidays. Played football. Washed school bags, lunch bags, and uniforms
and packed them away. Pre-ordered some
books on line. Lost two teeth. Same boy. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-plGzU4OWbQc/U7Qy-MtGJ4I/AAAAAAAADnE/Nza0Bj40_t4/s1600/2014-06-18+18.30.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-plGzU4OWbQc/U7Qy-MtGJ4I/AAAAAAAADnE/Nza0Bj40_t4/s1600/2014-06-18+18.30.07.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.wonderfulwagon.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Discovered what a bouncy castle burn feels like. Went cycling in the evenings. Ate lots and lots of breakfast cereal. And pancakes. Made home-made ice-pops. Read books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0IgfJLSe_fo/U7Qy4FrVZOI/AAAAAAAADnA/Tcwqn_qV9Do/s1600/2014-06-23+15.57.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0IgfJLSe_fo/U7Qy4FrVZOI/AAAAAAAADnA/Tcwqn_qV9Do/s1600/2014-06-23+15.57.40.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.wonderfulwagon.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We aren’t even finished the first week of school holidays
yet and I am already looking forward to the rest of the break.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are fights and loud bust-ups followed by threats of
treat embargos and an end to the swimming pool. Lots of loud complaints about
being bored. Until 6pm and then I don’t
see them for dust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When they ask why we don’t do anything in the afternoons I tell
them it is because I want to sit at home, outside in the glorious sunshine, soaking
it up and in. Reading my book and
relaxing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just <i>being.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After all that is what summer is for.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-32336935598336315142014-06-19T03:20:00.000-07:002014-06-19T03:26:04.893-07:00Maximol Food Supplement Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy1o1S0xcuw/U1rEdo2GTOI/AAAAAAAADMY/LVvRj5JWG3I/s1600/2014-03-11+12.54.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy1o1S0xcuw/U1rEdo2GTOI/AAAAAAAADMY/LVvRj5JWG3I/s1600/2014-03-11+12.54.37.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have suffered with cold sores all my life. There are school photographs of me grinning manically
at the camera and bearing the most awful looking chapped lips. Cold sores happened along in my teens and I
was treated to them regularly from then on and well into my twenties. When I was pregnant with our first child I
suffered one after the other for about a month until I discovered I was with
child. For the next three pregnancies
all I needed was tingling teeth plus a tingling lip to confirm the happy
news. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regular and reoccurring breakouts of cold sores can be a
sign that your body is lacking an essential amino acid called Lysine. The body cannot manufacture this so we depend
on it from food. Taking Lysine
supplements can help rectify this deficiency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But once the blister has formed there is nothing for it
except to wait the bastard out. It’s
gross, it’s downright painful and horribly unsightly. I was so embarrassed and self-conscious about
my breakouts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully the virus calmed down in my thirties and my
attacks are less frequent today. But
they still occur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine my horror and upset when our eldest child started to
suffer. Looking at his toddler pictures,
he had one or two even back then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The guilt I felt upon realising it was me who passed on the virus
knew no bounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sugar is his main trigger.
I know following certain times of the year, Halloween, birthday parties,
Easter and other sugar filled festivals, he will be sporting a cold sore within
five days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He made his First Holy Communion recently and I was Minding
Him. I needn’t have bothered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sods law saw to it that one appeared three
days before the day. I didn’t know
whether to be delighted or incensed when the photographer airbrushed the
offending blemish from his school photo.
(I was delighted!) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We discovered a fantastic cream that helps speed up the
recovery process a great deal. It is
called bio-propolis and available in your pharmacy or health food shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then verruca’s put in a very unwelcome appearance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had one myself when I was in my late teens but didn’t know
what it was. After a couple of months of
increasing discomfort, I stuck a corn pad onto the lump on the sole of my
foot. It stuck hard and fast and offered
immediate relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then something odd happened.
The skin around the corn pad started to lift and everything came away –
including the verruca and its dangling roots.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know. Gross. Apologies.
But it was gone. Never to return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now both of my eldest boys are sporting verrucae. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, cold sores and verruca’s are first cousins. Ain’t family grand?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister in law who is a podiatrist, enlightened me
about a product she has been recommending to her clients to treat this nuisance. She has received fantastic feedback regarding
repeated success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This product is called Maximol. A liquid food supplement renowned for
boosting the immune system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adults take 15mls daily and children over the age of 4 take
7.5mls. It is a thousand times more
palatable if taken with a good splash of orange juice or whatever your
preferred morning juice might be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to join my boys in the taking of this magic
elixir. We are heading into our third
month now and at €35 per 500ml it ain’t cheap BUT oldest boys verruca has kind
of turned inside out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To explain. It is not
like a hard lump anymore but has sort of burst open. So sorry for the graphic description but a
verruca is essentially a wart that grows from the inside out. And it has reached its out!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second boy’s verruca has taken off at a rate of knots
and is looking like it will need its own passport very soon. It has definitely “blossomed” at a much
faster rate than his older brothers and I am putting this down to him starting
the Magic Elixir sooner rather than later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am hoping for a death knell with oldest boys within the
next month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in other news where Maximol is concerned. Because I have been taking it with the boys I
can report that my sugar cravings have been noticeably weaker over the last two
months or so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PLUS we ran out before the Easter holidays and I haven’t
been able to replace it as of yet. As a
result I have developed the nastiest, biggest and scariest looking cold sore in
YEARS on my chin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it is a coincidence but I am attributing this alien
appearance on my face to the absence of Maximol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is an ongoing experiment but so far I like what it is
doing. And I plan to continue to use
it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the boys’ verrucae are healed
they will stop taking it but I most certainly will continue to. Especially over the winter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**** With three of
us partaking of 500mls we get approximately one month per bottle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***** If you or other family members have a verruca please
note they are highly contagious. Little
shits! Don’t share towels or walk
about in bare feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">****** It is rumoured that if you starve the verruca of air,
it doesn’t like it. So get cracking with
some heavy duty Elastoplast or duct tape and tape it down. Filing the pesky thing with a piece of emery
board keeps it in check too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">******* I have read (and heard) that verrucae are a feared
of banana skin. If you feel like a
little experiment, stick the teeniest tiniest piece of banana skin, white side
down, onto the imposter as you sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">******** It is also rumoured that over half of verrucae go
away of their own accord within a year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple;">FOOTNOTE: This post has been sitting waiting patiently to be published for over a month now. In that time, one of my boys can report a disappearing verruca. It is all but gone. Our local pharmacy was unable to supply us with Maximol for a month due to low stocks from the manufacturers. Three weeks on, there is a huge improvement in the verruca. I am expecting it to be gone completely by the end of the month! </span></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-68008996840005222532014-06-04T12:43:00.002-07:002014-06-04T12:43:37.264-07:00Five High Fives<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRqP2qwXAM0/U492y1mkzkI/AAAAAAAADZQ/YO7n167HuNg/s1600/high+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRqP2qwXAM0/U492y1mkzkI/AAAAAAAADZQ/YO7n167HuNg/s1600/high+5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On this most auspicious week in June it has come to my
attention, not for the first time, I have much to be thankful for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First off your health is your wealth springs to mind
immediately. Okay so my back doesn’t
wake up for a half an hour after the rest of me these days but a regime of
running, a 30 day ab challenge and some morning stretches is either going to
cure that or make it much worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘Course I am going to scoop that 12 million lottery jackpot
tonight and I won’t give a fiddlers about my back or my abs. It will be all about the spending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secondly school holidays are just around the corner. For the last couple of years I have dreaded
and embraced them in equal measures. They
are going to be great and they are going to push me over the edge. But I am taking wine for that so I should be
grand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My third high five sees me arriving at a conclusion with the
help of a small person. For the last
few months two of our boys have taken agin school. One is in primary school and has, god love
him, no choice in the matter. The other
chap is luckier. It is only Montessori
and there are all of three weeks left till he finishes for ever and ever
amen. Both boys have experienced
different but equal amounts of stress and distress over their respective
schools. A teacher and a principal have
my older sons back and I have decided to listen to my gut with the other. He doesn’t need to go to school if he doesn’t
want to. Hopefully this decision will
put an end to the sudden 5am wake ups and the constant “is it school today?”
questions from the night before, to the early wake up and through the remainder
of the day. The older boy I fear, will
need gentle assistance and some positive guidance but we can work on that in
September. After I check out some
resources and chat to a couple of people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No. 4 covers school reports.
These arrived today and made me smile and glow with pride. Formal education is important but I focused
on the social aspect of their reports. Whilst
I disagreed somewhat with one report and wondered if all the impromptu meetings
and phone calls were just an out of body experience, Oldest Boy’s didn’t surprise
me at all. He’s grand. More than and I hope
he continues to grow, to learn and enjoy his education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big five. A phone
call I have been waiting for since Easter has finally come through. It will involve some “s- blend” speech
therapy. It’s been a bit of a pain and
ongoing since January with the revelation that we needn’t have spent a single
penny. But what’s done is done and I am
expecting great results as he was flying with the private sessions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And finally. The Leaving
Cert began today. Thank god that part of
my life is over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh wait. Was that 6
high fives? Aren’t I lucky? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-52929373245678432872014-05-28T11:51:00.000-07:002014-05-28T11:51:31.085-07:00A Little Pep Talk<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdrCFTLblcc/U0RdpFHCcVI/AAAAAAAADF8/7yEkmvjJ3p4/s1600/hello+friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdrCFTLblcc/U0RdpFHCcVI/AAAAAAAADF8/7yEkmvjJ3p4/s1600/hello+friend.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> little pep talk for the day that’s in it. Because today is as good a day, if not better
than any other, for a pep talk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you familiar with the helpful, insightful and profound life
affirming messages Facebook likes to share with everyone The ones that proclaim to know the secret to
a happy life, telling you how to side step toxicity and just be happy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ones that if you adjusted the volume on your computer a
little bit, would most likely chirp at you.
If they spoke it would be in a bright, annoyingly uplifting, high
pitched voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are anything like me, you find yourself nodding
furiously along to 5% of them and telling yourself to make that one your screen
saver and stick the other one on your fridge door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last summer I saw a brilliant one and I embarked on a fruitless endeavour to source stencils in order to print it on the wall at the top of the stairs. Where I would see it every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A whole year has passed and I still think about that
uplifting message. But I am no nearer to
doing it. In my heart of hearts I know
it will never get done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy those messages and I can take something from some of
them but you know what I have realised? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We don't need them!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When someone says
something shitty to you, it is an indication of their own insecurities and they
are just taking those out on you. They
see something that they like or covet and instead of enjoying your success and
happiness, decide to take you down a peg to make themselves feel better.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does that make any sense at all?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s hard and it’s shitty least of all because you come away
feeling drained and upset, tired and a bit down for no good reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But really what has happened is the person you have just
spent maybe only ten minutes with, drip fed their crap into your mind and sucked
the warm fuzzies out of you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5iAedEg_ds/U0RdsCeXWfI/AAAAAAAADGE/XsWd0ctY2d0/s1600/be+kind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5iAedEg_ds/U0RdsCeXWfI/AAAAAAAADGE/XsWd0ctY2d0/s1600/be+kind.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what can be done to prevent this in future?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The minute that person starts to suck the life out of you <i>leave!
</i>Take yourself away and don’t allow them to. Take back the power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your inner light has been quenched before you even cotton
onto what it happening, it’s still not too late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you feel like crap, <i>feel
it</i> and then push it away. Remind yourself
that you have gotten to this part of the day intact and do not allow anyone to
rain on your parade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then do something nice for yourself. Buy something; to wear, to eat, to read. If it takes spending your last twenty quid on
a frivolous treat to make you feel better, <i>do
it</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Zf8rZIjFwI/U0RdwiiZQeI/AAAAAAAADGU/4v4xkR22G1k/s1600/power+in+posit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Zf8rZIjFwI/U0RdwiiZQeI/AAAAAAAADGU/4v4xkR22G1k/s1600/power+in+posit.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I broke a plate one day to heal myself. And maybe a cup. But it worked. I needed a little outward explosion to
destroy the rot that was taking place inside me. <i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, and this is the important bit, <i>stay away </i>from such people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It may not always be possible and there may be random
connections, but if you can at all, make the effort to protect yourself from
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the scenario that there is absolutely no escaping their presence,
arm yourself against them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be reminded of your achievements and good qualities. Breathe slowly and evenly and if conversation
is engaged, keep it short and sweet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make your excuses as soon as you can and leave their
company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IE3IY4NvXIY/U0Rdyqq7fwI/AAAAAAAADGc/EmIefb7ctpc/s1600/stress+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IE3IY4NvXIY/U0Rdyqq7fwI/AAAAAAAADGc/EmIefb7ctpc/s1600/stress+pic.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And don’t re-visit the visit. If you get me. Don’t analyse the conversation. Move on and away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With your last twenty euro in your hand if needs be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I leave you with this little picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tu716rlBhBw/U0RdugSMszI/AAAAAAAADGM/y1w2_pu-tx8/s1600/people+like+clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tu716rlBhBw/U0RdugSMszI/AAAAAAAADGM/y1w2_pu-tx8/s1600/people+like+clouds.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disclaimer: I am aware I have included several positive and affirming messages. But they are nice ones and I like them. Okay?</span></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725391176738461473.post-37312987510139151002014-05-21T11:23:00.000-07:002014-05-21T11:23:57.855-07:00Why I Don't Love the Buddy System<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6tziQYkYUQ/U3PCaEDumkI/AAAAAAAADQs/-kwcLSIzAwc/s1600/the+buddy+bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6tziQYkYUQ/U3PCaEDumkI/AAAAAAAADQs/-kwcLSIzAwc/s1600/the+buddy+bench.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13.553333282470703px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: Paul Kuehnel Daily Record/Sunday News (Buddy Bench)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You may or may not have heard of the latest initiative that
many primary schools across the country are rolling out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is called The Buddy System and it involves each child
being assigned a “buddy” which is essentially someone to look out for them in
the school yard or during times when they might feel lonely or vulnerable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It can also include allocating an area in the school yard for
those who don’t have someone to play with or are feeling lonely to go to. This area usually has a Buddy Bench, a seat
for the child to rest themselves on. Some
schools use a sign on a wall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thought behind the bench and the sign is, other children
will notice a child who is alone and [hopefully] approach them and include them
in their games.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt uncomfortable immediately upon hearing this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some kids are introverts and their energy is drained by
settings like the school yard. It can be
a very intimidating place for small kids.
Oftentimes they feel a strong need to break away from the madness and
regroup by themselves. This is perfectly
okay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Similarly a lot of kids don’t like it when attention is drawn
to them. The last thing they need is to sit
on or stand beside something that, no matter what way it’s painted, shouts
“Loner” “Loser” “Billy No Mates” and “I have no-one to play with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Buddy System has its merits but as a parent speaking for
a child who needs his own space and really dislikes people approaching him
during this time, I don’t love the Buddy System. I don’t love it at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He would rather die a thousand deaths than stand under such
a sign, or have someone ask, no matter how well intentioned, if he is okay and
does he need company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It only serves to highlight what some kids are struggling
with and striving to hide in the first place; the belief that they are the only
one in the yard without a playmate and not included in the fun and games. This
is how many of them see it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My son can feel this acutely at times but it makes it worse
for him if he feels other people notice it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes kids just want to be alone. Maybe that stone they are examining or the
trail of ants they are following is much more fascinating than a game of tag or
a conversation about Minecraft. Just maybe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also don’t think it’s hugely fair to expect one six year
old, for example, to essentially baby-sit another in the school yard. They are there to play, to enjoy their down
time from lessons and not have responsibility that they may not be ready for,
or want, placed on their shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do teachers not monitor the yard for this very reason? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I accept it is a nice idea and very important to foster
empathy and friendliness in others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But perhaps it is more important to recognise and understand
the differences in children and what puts them at ease or sets their teeth on
edge and their skin itching through being uncomfortable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or just leave them be to get on with break-time as they see
fit. I know this is what my son would
prefer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Gwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07245366421695980452noreply@blogger.com7