tuesday 23rd November 2010

gosh cannot believe its almost 2 months since I last posted.

So much has been happening in my life. The decision was made for my dear Dad to go into a Nursing Home. My mum is exhausted with minding him 24/7 and it was felt that this was the only option for him and her. We are unable to mind him full time either so it had to be the Nursing Home. He has settled in a lot now and thats good for all of us to see him settled.
Poor Mum is another kettle of fish. She is missing Dad and heartbroken because she knows that he will never be coming home to live with her again. She is down in the home every day with him.

In my own life at home I have started my course which will enable me to go to proper University in September 2011. I am studying Irish History and literature in English at the moment with an exam in Dec and another one in April. It is very interesting and challenging as well.

Trying to have a work-home-study-life balance is tricky but so far so good.
The housework has gone to pot though.

Marie.X

Student Life.......

well its been a while since I posted on this blog. Back to school was hectic and now that i've started my Access course there arent enough hours in the day anymore!! However I wouldnt have it any other way, I love being busy and being a student. Was up in UCD yesterday and it is freshers week this week, the place was so busy and buzzy with students of all ages, shapes and sizes running about finding their bearings as I was. Felt great to be part of this community and beginning on the road to further learning.

I'm excited but scared all at the same time.

Namaste
Marie.

Wednesday 15/9

spent the day getting organised for tomorrow.

I am at work 07.30 - 3.30 then I have 6 mad girls coming over for our poker night, the first of the winter season! Have to get home asap and get the rest of the house ship shape, make dinner, then make a delicious dessert, then make myself gorgeous, all in 4 1/2 hours!!! :)

Cant wait until next week when I start my university course.

It will be the start of an adventure i'm sure.

Especially when I receive Memory Girls Student Survival Guide.

Namaste
marie.

Induction Night 09.09.2010

At last I've started on the road to college. We had our induction night last night and I met my fellow access students. There are quite a lot of 'mature' students doing various courses in UCD but they all came together last evening for induction.

It was well organised in that the different centres were together and all the people in the particular centres were sitting together so got to introduce each other etc. so I met 3 of the people who will be on the English & History course with me. (2 women, 1 man)

Have to go and get my student card and log onto the UCD connect website. All contacts from UCD to students is via email etc. so thats important.

Have to see about getting some of my books secondhand/from the UCD library/public library etc. Will organise that next week pg.

Going out to Mums tomorrow for lunch then down to see Dad in San Remo.

Going to have a couple of glasses of Sauv Blanc before bed.

Onwards and upwards.

Namaste
Marie.

Manic Tuesday

another very busy day at the coalface aka work aka school office.
Love the hustle and bustle of the activity and the learning that goes on
The lovely music in the mornings and between classes
They have introduced some new ideas to the school day/week which will go down very well methinks.

We have also re located our office to just inside the main door so it is like grand central station all the time but its fun fun fun

Getting organised for starting college in 2 weeks, cannot wait but excited and scared at the same time. I've never been to college proper college that is so i'm not sure what to expect but I'm sure i'll enjoy it nonetheless

we have a couple of PDGE students in our school this year (previously known as HDIPS similar to what Jane.aka The Fabric of my Life....... is doing this year.

Namaste
Marie.

The end of the summer holidays

Cannot believe that this is the last day of our summer break.
Back to school & work in the morning. The time has flown but been very enjoyable.
Will be up early in the morning and get super organised tonight to save time in the morning.
Have the ingredients ready for a fish pie for supper tomorrow evening and also something for Tuesday> how long with that last???

Today will be busy with different things. Want to do some baking and also make some apple chutney as we have lots of apples in the garden.

Bring Bobby for a walk as well if the rain holds off.

Namaste
Marie

Thursday

hi all

another busy day today, getting organised for back to school, back to work, starting college, and ellens 21st birthday party tomorrow night. Went through some old photos of her when she was a little girl and found 4 cuties to get blown up and laminated for putting up at the party venue. She will be mortified but I think they are so cute. The other girls are doing the same so it should be funny to see them all as little girls now they are 21.

was in the office today for a little while it was my colleagues birthday so brought in some (shop bought) cupcakes for a little treat. Had a cuppa and they were lovely. All the teachers were in for a staff meeting and popped in for a chat.

Had to bring Cassie to dentist this afternoon and then it was home to sort out something for dinner and do some tidying/sorting out clothes etc.

Exciting stuff eh?

Namaste
Marie.

happy birthdays

its my daughter ellens 21st birthday today. She was up bright and early to open her cards and gifts.

She got a lovely guess watch as her main present and lots of money and stuff which she was delighted with. Her party is on Friday together with 3 of her best buddies from school who were all 21 this month. its a quadrupler!!

today was out visiting dad in hospital. Good news he got into the nursing home of our choice (and mums) so he may be there by the weekend please god. He had lots of visitors, mum, myself, denise, maura, brian, jack and eithne, Phew!! Its a pity he was asleep for the whole time we were there!!

I was glad to see in Google reader today that 'the small fabric of my life' blog is back up and posting entries again. I have been a fan since her original blog which centred about 365 days of not buying any new clothes. What an achievement!

Namaste
Marie

Sunny Sunday morning.

What a lovely sunny morning!!!:) Great to be alive on these days. Went for a walk locally in the park beside our house - dog had a great run around the park and rolled in the grass. Spotted some lovely ripe blackberries and as I had a plastic baggy in my pocket was able to pick quite a few for the freezer. I forsee a lovely blackberry and apply crumble being made shortly. We have lot of apples on the tree in the garden which are almost ready to be picked.

Had a busy one yesterday and didnt manage to post anything. It was my dads 83rd birthday yesterday and went to the hospital to visit him and give him a little present and card. He was very good today, awake and aware of us, speaking a little and even got up for a little walk to the bathroom with the nurse. Mum and Maura took him for a walk (in the wheelchair) to the Oratory for a little change of scenery.

Sat night was my sister and brother in laws 25th wedding anniversary get together in the Martello in Bray which we went along to for a couple of hours. Mum came as well but left early enough and drove herself home.

thats about it for today.

Namaste
Marie.

Friday busy Friday..........

well today was a day of many different parts........ up early at 7am and did the usual tea and toast in bed with hubby, then started decluttering my bedroom and wardrobe. Got rid of a load of stuff which was very satisfying!!

Had to bring my youngest to town to get stuff for back to school and also a dress for the wedding on Monday, her best friends mother is getting married in Kildare.

Then this afternoon went out to the hospital to visit Dad. My sister, brother, brothers partner and later on my mum there. Social worker came around so we had a little meeting/chat with her about Dads further care and move to Nursing Home which was very enlightening and informative.

Back home to prepare dinner, Lasagne made from scratch. After dinner had to collect youngest from working - she was helping with the wedding preparations and getting very well paid for the privilige.

Now I am gonna relax with a glass or two of Sauvignon Blanc, my first this week:)

Namaste
Marie.

thursday 19/8/2010

just a regular kinda day if there is such a thing.........? Had to sort out a lot of stuff this morning and then this afternoon have to go visit my Dad in hospital.

My daughter needs some basic stuff for back to school on 30th August so have to organise that this afternoon as well.

This evening I am going to an event for the Hospice (a coffee 'morning' at 6.00pm in the evening.)

Not a very exciting day but i'm sure lots of people have similar types of days.

Namaste
Marie.

Results Results Results!

my daughter got her examination results today - she did great!!

So proud of her

She worked hard and deserved her results - now we have to wait for college offers........

Namaste
Marie.

Busy busy busy...............

what a busy day today, went to the office today and was there all morning. Changing our offices and moving stuff around took all morning and most of the afternoon. In the mid morning my son phoned me and he had wonderful news, he got his Professional Yachtsmaster Qualification! He has been doing this course for the 16 weeks and his final exam was yesterday/overnight/today. Yahoo!!!! Went out to DL and collected him and brought Cassie. On the way went to bank and lodged her cheque which she got for working.

This afternoon back in office then had to scoot off to get the groceries!! Exciting eh?

Namaste
Marie.

College here I come :)

well this morning was the day!! I had my college interview/appointment at 10.00 am
When I arrived I had to write a piece on why I felt this course was for me.
Spent about 20 mins doing that and then had my face to face interview.......... was nervous but felt good answering the questions and discussing the course and my goals etc. Well the upshot was I was accepted there and then!!! I am SO HAPPY - I have an invite to a lecture on September 9th and then my course starts a week or 10 days after that. I got my list of books etc. that I need for the course which I can take out of the library or go to the library to study.

Onwards and upwards.

Namaste
Marie

Back to the city............

boo just arrived back from the peace and tranquility of Kerry.
Spent a very relaxing 3 weeks there and then travelled to Galway to collect my youngest daughter from Irish College. Sun was shining as we drove home through leafy lanes and small side roads.
Called to visit Killimor which is where my husbands mother hails from. Visited the graveyard and also the old home stead in Cloonaclusha - took some photos and then called to visit an old family friend of his.

Back to normal(!) life now......

Namaste

Marie

tackling bray head

today i am going to walk Bray Head which is a nice climb with a friend and also bring the dog
its a nice sunny morning and as I look out my window the view across to the island is very pretty
the water in the channel is very flat and calm like glass there is a slight breeze which will be cooling as I got a little too much sun on my back yesterday

so plenty of exercise on the agenda for today

namaste
marie

Misty Mornings

hi there

Down in kerry now for a few weeks
Woke up to a wet and misty kerry morning
the island is covered in mist so is not visible
but from experience I know that it will clear and the sun will come out
will take dog for a walk as he is barking madly and running around outside
he is quite safe as we are in the middle of nowhere

later will go for a drive to see who is around and whats stirring ori what the craic is as we Irish say

namaste
marie

Happy Holidays

going on holidays today to Kerry. Love it down there and will be partaking of lots walking, hill climbing, swimming, canoeing etc. Hopefully the weather will oblige and be sunny and warm, but no doubt we will have some rain as well. I am bringing lots of books to read and love nothing better than lighting the turf fire on damp wet days and curling up with a book (and even a glass of wine)
So my posts will be limited to a few over the next few weeks

namaste.

marie.

Sunny Sunday morning 25th July

As its sunday not going to do an awful lot. When I was out walking yesterday called into my local Oxfam to check out their bookshelves. I was particularly looking for a copy of 'The Secret' which I particularly wanted and didnt see any copies on the shelves. A guy had just brought a stack of books to the counter and I asked him if they had a copy. He said he didnt think so as people normally keep that book for themselves etc. but he said he would check the stockroom. Imagine my delight when he came back with a copy!!! For 5.00 euro. It costs 18.00 euro in the bookshops.
I was over the moon. Came home and put it by my bed for later perusal!!.

I do believe that what you put out to the universe you get the same back so wishing for abundance will bring abundance.

The house is quiet this morning as my kids are away and hubbie is working for a little while today.

Will take my dog out for a walk methinks.

Have a lovely day all

Namaste
marie.

Saturday 24th July

just a quick post today. My youngest daughter is off to Irish College today so i'm dropping her to her friends who's dad is driving them to Galway. She will be gone for 3 weeks!!! I'll miss her around the house. My other two children are away as well, Ellen in Greek Islands and Will in Scotland. He is sailing, and has exams next week for his Yachtmaster certificate.

Have to visit my dad in hospital today as well. So all in all a busy day.

Marie.

Getting ready for September and college

I spent some time this morning getting my folders, papers, books, pens etc. ready for College.
I have an interview in the middle of August re this place and am looking forward to it.
Bought some bits and pieces for my folder, clear pockets etc. and some A4 pads.

Read over my notes last night before bed.

Now the sun is shining so am going to get out for a walk with my westie bobby.

Have a good day all.

Marie.

maries daily musings july 22nd 2010

hi there this is the first entry of my new blog. Have decided to update my daily musings.
I am starting in university in September studying English Literature and History.
Its a new start for me as I've not gone to 'proper' university before.

marie.