Gifts from home

I just want to send a special "derricashon" out to the most wonderful friends in the world. Robyn, Wendy and Melissa, thank you so much for the gifts you sent with my mother. Your thoughtfulness and kindness is greatly appreciated and I LOVE YOU GUYS!! 

Karl's favourite chocolate

my favourite madeira IN THE WORLD

rooibos lip balm

circular knitting needles to make a snood

the ONLY brush in the world that gives my hair the right flick

Mine and hubbys FAV vice

and even a prezzie for Cassie.

 Dublin is about a  2.5 hour drive from where we live and after I dropped Karl off at work, I set off to the airport to fetch my mom. I was quite emotional, even on the drive to Dublin I teared up just knowing that I would see my mom soon! Doesn't matter how old you are, your mom is still and will always be your mom. I haven't seen her in 8 months, and needless to say I sobbed, unashamedly might I add, at the airport when she FINALLY appeared. Mom fell asleep at 9pm last night, and its noon and she's still in bed. Might go wake her up soon and see if she's ok. We have lots planned. Today is a gorgeous day, the sun is shining and its relatively warm. Think we'll take Cassie and go for a drive along the shore and maybe even an ice-cream :) 


Cassie update: She's doing well, and growing quickly. After a week, she only cries for the first 10 minutes after we put her to bed, and then sleeps all night long, so we have made lots of progress.

not a happy pup after her shot and being microchipped - she travels well though, always falls asleep in the car

she seems to like to sleep under things...

fast asleep on her back

playing with her daddy before he went to work this morning

Thank you for my new toy Auntie Robs, Uncle Andel and Zac

the collie coming out in her - this is her favourite spot to 'sheep-watch'

St Paddys day

We started the celebrations a bit early, and I made a batch of green cocktails on friday night, and we took them over to Sinead and Hugh's for dinner and a dvd. 

Sinead and I finished the cocktail mix and moved on to wine I think? I woke up on St Paddy's day with no hangover! To be honest I wanted to climb Slemish for my first St Patricks day in Ireland. The problem with that plan is that so does the rest of Ireland!! Apparently it gets so crazy that you have to park miles away and have to queue for hours to get up there. So instead I made more green cocktails and we went over to Willie and Joanne's for dinner and drinks on Sat eve.

yummy chocolate wine that we got FREE with our Indian takeaway!

digging in

defo hometime!

So I walked up slemish on Monday instead and it was dead quiet and so mucky, i slipped a few times, but at least I can say that I did it!

Slemish

it was freezing up there!

Also went to my very first spin class, and it actually wasn't THAT bad! Will defo be going back!


Counting down the days till Mel arrives!
xx

Birthday weekend part II

So last Saturday night, my good friend Joanne, decided we were gonna celebrate my birthday in 3D style... dinner, drinks and dancing. We went to her home town of Ballycastle, about 30 mins from where we live. We went shopping on Thursday evening (instead of Zumba!) and bought very cheap, but very sexy dresses. I'm actually gutted that we didn't get a photo together in our new dresses. I did try a new hairdo though, like a side bun-thing...

We went to a place called the Central for the first part of the evening.

I had the MOST AMAZING chicken stack ever! Its roasted chicken on a bed of champ (an Irish version of mash), with fried onions on top and a creamy peppered sauce! YUM!!! Karl had a bacon and avo (?) burger, which was really well presented.

After dinner, Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday started playing and this cake arrived on our table. It was really very sweet (nearly cried, but didn't!).

After dinner, we gate-crashed a wedding. The girl in the pink dress and her hubby were invited to the evening do at a friends wedding (in a nightclub!?) so we all went along for a few drinks. After a few long and uncomfortable stares from the wedding guests (probably wondering who on earth we were), we moved to the Glenshesk, more commonly known as "Sin City."

And thats all I remember (just kidding!) We were home and in bed by 2am :)

Too cute not to share...

I went for a stroll during my lunch break and HAD to buy this fridge magnet.

I have been looking for a vintage cameo chain for AGES! But the real ones are SO expensive. Some of you may recall your grandmother or someone else from the older generation wearing these. I think they are absolutely stunning. We were at a shop in town not too long ago, and I saw a few in the store window. Told my mom-in-law that I had been looking for one for a long time. She must have kept it in mind, because she disappeared up the stairs last week and produced one! She gave it to me. Karl's father gave it to her during their first year of their marriage, so it has a lot of history and a lot of sentimental value, and we were both in tears when she handed it over to me. I am definately starting a family tradition with it. Handing it down to the first daughter who gets married, and if we only have boys, then to the first daughter-in-law to get married. 

My gratitiude list

We all get so caught up in what’s missing from our lives or what we can do to improve it, but we don’t often stop to count our many blessings, so I’ve decided to do just that: 

STOP and think of a list of things that I am grateful for.

I am grateful for/that:

 

A wonderful husband who goes over and above the call of duty EVERY TIME!

True friends who are there for you when it really matters

My parents (all five of them!)

My siblings and all the laughter they bring

My best friends

Hot baths

Decaf tea

Internet shopping

My part-time job which allows me to have pocket money AND me-time :)

Cold weather when I have to do my hair

Skype so I can catch up with my friends and family

Being able to read and finish my book in my own time

Coke Zero!

That I got to attend one of the most prestigious universities

My warm fleecy socks :)

Blackberry messenger

Learning to let go the things that don’t matter

Freedom to do things I am passionate about

Not having to do life alone

Chocolate

New beginnings

That I live in a beautiful area with easy access to the most amazing scenery

My swing cd set (4 cds)

My kindle

Date night ;)

My fireplace in the cold winter

That I have learned not to second guess myself and to stop ignoring my intuition

My health and the good health of those I love

For friendships: past, present and future

My toaster

Snow

My electric blanket

Nap time

Being able to travel

The little things

Today

Try it, it really helps/works.