Out with the Old and In with the New............2015.

31st January 2014.

Despite the title 2014 has been a good year all round thank goodness.  I have a roof over my head, a good husband, lovely children, parent, friends and have nothing to complain about.   I also graduated from college this year, got a role as a parent mentor for a charity and have enough money to keep me going for the 2 years of my MA which I started in September 2014.

Nevertheless I am looking forward to 2015 with renewed vigour.  I have set out my goals and resolutions and tonight I am down in Kerry and heading out to a house party to meet some good friends and gree the new year in a fun and festive way.


Happy New Year to all and Namaste.


Marie.

Freezing Sunday 28th December

Despite the -2 temperatures today it was very bright and the sky was as blue as I've ever seen it.  I took a 45 min walk to collect the car which had been left overnight by OH who went out with his friends last night and wisely took a taxi home in the early hours.  I don't mind as its an excuse to get out walking (sans doggie as he's SO slow) so I got my exercise in which is necessary as I've eaten SO much junk over the last couple of days.

However by the time I got back I was feeling very fluey so took a lemsip and proceeded to attach myself to the couch for the afternoon.  I was meant to be going to my inlaws for a family get together but declined.  DS took care of me, made me tea and lemsips, looked after the fire and even made me chips.  Despite the fact I felt BLAH it was nice to be spoiled and spend time with him.  He has his faults as we all do but he's a good guy.  Kind hearted and soft and loves his Mum. :)

Tomorrow we are heading down to Kerry for the week to relax and chill.  It will be just myself and OH and the doggie.  Hopefully by the time we leave tomorrow any icy conditions will have melted away and as we will be by the coast hopefully we shouldn't see any ice or snow.  Fingers and toes crossed.  Will stock up on lemsips for the week and hopefully the worst will be over of this fluey feeling within a few days.

blue skies overhead today.








Namaste
Marie.

Sunny Saturday 27th December 2014.

After all the rain yesterday it was good to see the sun shining today :)  Not a lot happening today, still getting organised putting tables away and making soup and stock out of the left overs from the Christmas dinner.

Later on I went out to visit mum in the Nursing Home and went to visit Dad's grave.  Ito  was very cold so we didn't spend too long there, said some prayers and left.  Mum wanted to visit our old houses in Bray so we had a little drive around to see them, it was quite sad really.

Now I'm home, had a lovely hot bowl of hm soup with fresh white bread. So now feeling nice and warm and full.  Its freezing out so won't be venturing out again tonight, unless its to drop OH to visit his mates as is normal on Saturday nights.  Or he might want to drive and I can collect the car in the morning.  We shall see.

Namaste
Marie.

The Feast of Stephen...........26th december 2014

Well its been and gone.............. Christmas 2014.  It was enjoyable, relaxing and fairly quiet.
It was just the family and my mother, we ate late and opened our presents late as well.  Visited a few neighbours for a mulled wine and waited for our large turkey to be ready to eat.  Late eating compared to other years but it was nice all the same.  Had to drop my mum home so wasn't able to drink much, just a glass of vino with dinner, so fresh as a daisy today.  Watched Anna Karenina on tv in bed last night, such a lavish set and costumes.  Keira Knightly is luminously beautiful.  Also watched the last 45 mins of Downton, forgot it was on ..............sob!!

Today has been relaxing, just getting organised, putting the china away, hanging up the gifted clothing, throwing away wrapping paper (that cannot be recycled) and just decluttering.  Dinner is sorted as its left overs, plus there is a mountain of sweet desserts and cheeses to be eaten.
Have to drop DD2 to her bus as she is heading to the boyfriends and then collect her later on so won't be partaking of much vino tonight either.  Maybe just a glass when I get back.  Due to the wetness of the day was unable to get out for a walk with the dog.  Tomorrow hope to get out for a walk and also to visit mum as we haven't been to Dad's grave yet this christmas.

Now going to settle down to Leinster v Munster in Thomond Park, a local derby if there ever was one.




image from google. com

Its been a while............. Tuesday December 23rd 2014.

Its 10.45pm on the eve of Christmas Eve.  Where has the last couple of weeks got to?  I know this is a question that I ask continually on this blog.  With the finishing up of college for the next 4-5 weeks I have had a chance to catch my breath, somewhat.  I am pretty organised for Christmas.  Done all the shopping for gifts, for food, wrapped, prepped and am ready to rock and roll.  I will have all the family here for Christmas dinner on the 25th and my mother as well for the day.

My thoughts are with the people of Glasgow who suffered that terrible tragedy yesterday and many people lost their lives and people lost their loved ones.  It is only a little over a year since that awful helicopter crash which crashed onto a Glasgow pub and killed a number of people.  There is no good time for people to lose loved ones but it is especially cruel at this time of year and a continual reminder (as if one were needed) of their loved ones who are missing.  My thoughts and prayers are with them.  It seems terrible to be enjoying oneself and planning the next few days as normal in the light of such sorrow and suffering.

Tomorrow Christmas Eve I will get my hair done in the morning (very important)  DH will take the girls to town to get some extra gifts, this is a tradition in our household for Christmas.  Usually I meet up with them later for a drink but tomorrow we are meeting with all our extended in laws for dinner in a local pub which is also a bistro and does delicious food.  So whilst they are all in town I will prep veg, and get super organised for Christmas morning  so I won't have a lot to do except pop the turkey in the oven.  The ham will be cooked and cooled tomorrow as well and I will make stuffing and starters etc. where I can.  I will have to travel out to Enniskerry to collect my Mum from the Nursing Home as well so that will put a bit of pressure on me too.  Never mind it is Christmas after all.

A merry christmas, happy new year and safe festive season to everyone.
Namaste
Marie.

Saturday 8th November 2014.

Its been a busy few days since I last posted so wanted to catch up on news.
Not that there has been alot happening out of the ordinary.  College has been keeping me busy but I am not getting up there as much as I would like.  but family has taken a lot of my time latterly which is not a problem but when your kids are 19, 25 and 27 you feel that they will not be so needy.
It has been very wet and cold here for the last couple of days so the fire has been going which makes it very cosy.

Last night met up with my friends from the school that I last worked in before I went to college.  It was one of the ladies 60th birthday's and we met for dinner, drinks and a chat.  It was a lovely night catching up with everyone and we are all going away for a weekend in December for a bit of a girly weekend, treats and pampering. Can't wait.  Have to get my assignments done and dusted before I go though as they are due the Monday after I get back from the hotel break !!

Today was spent doing the usual catch up chores, changing bed linen, cleaning, tidying, hanging up washing etc.  Its good to get up to date though.

This afternoon (late) Ireland were playing South Africa in the Autumn Internationals and they won 29-15 which was a great result.  Johnny Sexton got the man of the match award, he was brilliant but the whole team turned up.

Relaxing night watching The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (again)  Love it though.


Namaste
Marie.

Wet and windy Saturday 1st November 2014

My baby is 19 today and is away in Rome.  Really miss her and wish I was with her.
Today was quite uneventful.  It started out lovely and sunny and by lunch time it had changed.
Called out to visit mum today and had our usual chat about the family and different questions that she always asks.  She has dementia and her short term memory is completely gone good love her. However she is in good form and is well looked after in her Nursing Home.


Read a really good article in the Irish Times weekend by Roisin Ingle on violence against women and an organisation called white ribbon.org.  Some very interesting posts on the blog which I advise reading.

Gonna take it easy tonight and get an early night, want to get up to UCD library in the morning and get a jump on finishing one of my assignments.  Image below from www.whiteribbon.ie features Paul O'Connell and Donnacha O Callaghan, two Irish ruby players who also play for Munster :)




Namaste
Marie.

Happy Halloween, hahahahaha :)

31st October, Halloween is here :) Very unseasonal weather here, very mild at 19 degrees and wet.  Usually at this time of year it is very cold and crisp with the sound of fireworks and bangers going off making it sound like Beirut !! Its very quiet here too as DD2 is in Rome and DS1 is in Southampton for a course.  He will be home tonight though after a week away, hopefully with certification in his hands.

Spent a few hours (3.5) this morning working on my MA assignment and now have 3644 words in the bag which isnt too bad.  Got my hair done this afternoon as OH, myself, DD1 and DS1 are going out for a bite to eat to celebrate Halloween.  DD2 will not be happy (even though she's in Rome) as she always complains we do stuff when she's not around. LOL.

Doggy is comfortable on the couch, and it is getting dark.  Pumpkin is lit and looking suitably scarey on the kitchen worktop.  Goodies and sweets in bowls in the hall awaiting the trick or treaters.  Although last year we only had one call to the door, all the kids in this cul de sac are grown up, or at least beyond happy halloween dressing up and such like.

Just had call from DS1 who passed his exams so happy days.  Is in the airport awaiting his flight to Dublin.  Yippee :)

pumpkin image as per our pumpkin.










Namaste
Marie.

Thursday 30th October, 2014.

Just a quick entry today.  Trying to get some work done on one of my MA assignments, Women, Gender and Violence which is extremely interesting,  So far I've done 3500 words which is a good start.  About another 1500 to go :)


Very early start as DD2 was heading to airport for her trip to Rome with her Classicus choir.
Sounds like it will be a good trip. Very nice itinerary indeed.  They are staying at the Irish Monastery in Rome which is supposed to be fab.  Really wish I had been able to go.

Ah well, photos will have to do and a DVD hopefully of their performance in St. Peter's Basilica.

Off to get dressed and do grocery shopping, then a quick visit to the library in UCD to glean some info.  Exciting life of marie.

image courtesy www.google.images.ie - St. Peters Basilica interior.  Imagine singing there.

Namaste
Marie.

Tuesday 28th October, 2014

Well the Bank Holiday has passed quite uneventfully but it was nice all the same.
Had the loaves and fishes meal on Sunday and it was a bit like that yesterday too but that's family life I guess!!  Thankfully we had enough food to go around, which is more than some others have so I'm grateful for that.  Got lots of bits and pieces done around the house too, including sweeping up leaves from the back garden which I notice this morning are back with a vengeance :)

Today I am meeting my best buddie Helen for a walk on Bray promenade followed by a coffee in our fave coffee shop there Finbees.  Its a little dull at the moment weather wise and I'm meeting her at 12 so hopefully it will brighten up.  However it can be like this here in D6 and in Bray its lovely and sunny and vice versa so I'm not too worried.  It is a Victorian promenade built in the late 19th century and has weathered well thank goodness.

image courtesy of google images.




promenade.




Namaste
Marie.

Bank Holiday weekend Sunday 26th OCTOBER

I have fallen by the wayside again blogging wise.  I have been so preoccupied with my MA and day to day life that it has taken a back seat.  I am really trying to keep on top of everything but its increasingly difficult.  When one'  kids grow up you think that things will get easier but thats not the case.  Your life becomes subsumed within theirs, the more important one (they seem to think) and when you try to break free the guilt takes over.  Very philosophical indeed for a Sunday.


Earlier watched Leinster V Castres in the Heineken Cup (now new European Cup) and they came away with a win but it was touch and go and no easy win but they ran out winners in the end.

Will have a full house for dinner this evening with all the family, 5, student, boyfriend of one of my DD' and friend of the other DD' down from Clare for the weekend.

Loaves and fishes come to mind.

Image from Leinster Rugby website www.leinsterrugby.ie.  Ian Madigan who kicked all of Leinsters points today.  Go Leinster.

Namaste
Marie.

The scales have fallen from my eyes....... Tuesday 16th Sept 2014`

What a difference reading an article and viewing a video can make to ones perspective. For todays lecture I had to read a piece by Marilyn Waring an eco-feminist from New Zealand and her view on how much women are worth, or in fact how LITTLE women are worth in the worldwide global world of economics.  It seems that all the work we put in at home bearing children, feeding them, caring for them, keeping the home fires burning etc. etc. count for nothing.  Women it seems dont count in the grand financial plan and it is wars and disasters and other such events that are important for GDP.

Feel really fed up this evening to be honest, and I hope this feeling passes soon.

Perhaps a long walk by the sea would help, i'll give that a go.


Namaste
Marie.

Simple Sunday 14/9/2014`

Started off with a little reading to finish my required reading for tomorrow.
Prepped some dinner and then left to go on a 1/2 hour walk to collect car and get some exercise
Went to visit Mum and then returned home about. 3.45pm.

Very quiet day today, dinner, tidy up, then watched TV for a while.
Early to bed after shower and some internet surfing.

Namaste
Marie.

Sunny Saturday 13.9.2014

Started off with a cuppa and then headed to supermarket for weekly shop.  Got text from college buddy to meet for brunch which I declined.  However when packing up shopping  had change of heart and decided to meet up.  Had a lovely hour and a half chatting and curing all the ills of the world and watching the lovely people going past in a new coffee shop/restaurant.  In the midst of sporting heroes and their beautiful spouses, spotted brian o driscoll and his gorgeous wife amy in there (separately) and as we were driving out of the area spotted bod getting into his car with his golf clubs, must be weird for him now he's retired from playing rugby, especially as Leinster had a match this afternoon !! He's a rugby pundit now, amongst his other talents.

Came home and decided to do my budget as been out and about a lot in the last few weeks and spent rather a lot of money. Decided to be frugal for at least the next 2-3 weeks, no more nights out for drinks, meals, and coffee dates.  Hmmm, we'll see how long that lasts, but I am determined.

Going to try one of Frugal Queen's recepies which I spotted on her website, a frugal butternut squash and rice masala, looks delicious.  I'll post a photo later when its made.


Going to get some reading done now for Monday's lecture on Gender, War and Violence.


Namaste
Marie.

Friday 12th September 2014`

Today has been a quiet enough day so far.  Up to UCD at 9.30 to meet a friend for coffee and a chat, then into the library to collect some books from my locker.  I have caught up with the required readings for Monday next and am halfway through the 3rd document so happy enough with that.
Going to get out a book which is mentioned a lot about 'unmanageable revoluntionaries' basically about the women in Ireland in the years 1916 to 1922 who were very active in these years but have been basically all but written out of the historical record, which is predominantly male. GRRRRR.

This afternoon made some hm soup, curry and pasta with hm sauce and parmesan.  I am heading out to meet a friend this evening at 6pm but still have to feed the troops.

Heading to a local restaurant bistro/coffee shop/restaurant to meet an ex work colleague, should be a good evening.


Namaste
Marie.

Best laid plans............ 11.9.2014

Best laid plans of mice and men indeed............ I had planned this morning on heading up to college and spending a good few hours in the library doing some advance reading but it didn't happen.  Stayed up late last night watching the movie 'Unfaithful' with Diane Lane (love her ) and Olivier Martinez, as well as Richard Gere, although he's not so cute as he was..........  I have seen it before but I still stayed up to watch it again and had a few glasses of wine... too many really and this morning I wasn't full of vim and vigour.  Shame on me.

However all is not lost as I caught up on the housework (exciting)and ironing etc so it wasn't entirely a wasted morning.  The readings are not due until Monday so I'm not entirely disgraceful.

This afternoon I'm getting my hair done and also DD1 is coming to her's cut too, courtesy of a generous mum :)

Nothing planned for this evening but one thing's for certain, there will be no staying up late and definitely NO VINO.  Image from movie courtesy google.

Namaste
Marie.

Wednesday 10th Sept 2014

Feeling somewhat sad and nostalgic today.  Had to go out to my Mum's house today and go through her clothes and empty her wardrobes.  This because the house is now up for sale and we need to clear out her stuff in the event of it selling shortly.  There are quite a few people interested in it so its going to have to be done sooner or later.  Just made me feel so sad, although I got quite a few of her clothes and dropped them up to her in the nursing home, however she didnt want many of them. She dosnt have a lot of space in her wardrobe there and its very warm in the nursing home so her heavy stuff isnt really needed.  Brought some pictures, books, and some cushions that the kids had given her when they were smaller, but she didn't really want them either 'what would I do with them' seems to be her default response poor pet.


Brought a lot of her stuff to the charity shop in Bray and also the charity bin in Milltown after she had rejected some of the stuff.  Also brought some bits home to my house that will have to be removed and I rather like.  Feels kinda mean though as she is still with us iykwim.


DD2 arrived home from college with her Lab coat for chemistry labs and advised that she is heading to the Freshers Ball tomorrow night.  She is beginning to make new friends which is great as her classmates from school seem to be scattered all over in various colleges which is to be expected.  They do not seem to be making an effort to stay in touch which isnt nice for her but anyway hopefully she will make newer 'lifelong' friends at college.

Tonights dinner is already prepped, lasagne, salad, crusty bread and maybe a cheeky class of pinot grigio to accompany said repast.  Images www.googleimages.ie its not mine but similar :)

Namaste
Marie.

OMG its Tuesday 9.9.2014

Its been a whole weekend and a day since I last posted on Friday last. Sorry about that.  The weekend went by in a bit of a blur, not that I was doing much, out Friday night which was very sedate, but very enjoyable nonetheless.  Home at a respectable hour (11.45pm) and cost wasn't terribly expensive for meal and  all drinks included.  Got public transport there and back and the total cost was c 40.00 euro.  Result !!

Saturday I spent doing the household chores, after a nice lie in I might add.  OH away for weekend so had bed to myself.  Later on I went to visit Mum and had a nice couple of hours with her.

Sunday was another relaxing start.  Yet more domestic duties and also did some gardening, weeding, watering, that sort of thing.  Was going to prep a nice dinner but everyone was out and about except myself and the spanish student so we had hm soup, bread and cheese and hm hoummous, which was very tasty.

Monday started off early as back to college and wanted to get in to do my readings for 4pm lecture.  Got 3 of the 4 done and the lecture went great as a result of knowing a lot of what she was talking about, due to the advance reading.  It really is the way to do it.  After that lecture (2 hours) we had Critical thinking and writing from 6-7.30 so by 7.30 I was exhausted.  However it was good to get the first day under my belt so to speak.

Today Tuesday I had lecture at 2pm so in at 10am to get readings done, but due to the supermoon or something else which I cannot put my finger on, I didnt sleep AT ALL last night so was exhausted today before I even got in but managed a bit of the readings.  Lecture went well and on the way out got chatting to a very nice woman Finnoula, she is doing the MA over one year, me over two and I suddenly realised that I had registered for too many modules for the year, so now I only have Mon/Tuesday to go to college for lectures, which frees up Wednesday-Friday and weekend, Happy Days, even though I love college, its nice to do it on a really part time basis.

Namaste
Marie.

Friday Sept 5th 2014

DD1 went for her registration for her course and came home delighted with herself and and course dosn't actually start until 17th September !! DD2 was working last night to 5.30am and is back in again at 12.00 for lunch time.


OH is away for the weekend with the 'lads' and I am off out tonight with my college fellow graduates to celebrate said graduation.  Last night was up in UCD to have a meeting with the other students on the MA Women, Gender and Society.  Getting excited now, first lecture on Monday at 4pm.


Bring it on.

Namaste
Marie.

Treacey Towers post Graduation excitement 4.9.2014

 Today was an ordinary back to normal type of day chez moi.  Up about 9 am and put some clothes out to air in the sunshine and make the kitchen/living area less like a chinese laundry :)
Its lovely to air clothes, especially bedding and towels out in the sunshine.  Put a couple of wet washes out as well.

Domesticity is the order of the day today, cleaned bathrooms and all that entails.  Then made some fresh hoummus, a chicken, brocolli and mushroom with pasta bake for dinner later, as I shall be up in UCD meeting my colleagues on the Women, Gender and Society MA as well as lecturers, tutors et al. Afterwards there is a more 'social' aspect to the get together so we may retire to the campus bar !!  Dont want a late or boozy night though as up early in am to meet a friend for coffee who has been away on holidays for the last few weeks, then home to get organised for dinner as I am out again Friday night, however with having family and additional students in the house, food has to be provided and it always falls to me.  Why is it that the women in the house always has to do the dinner.  My least favourite phrase is 'whats for dinner' as the problem always falls to me.  Ah well.

Washed the doggy as well as he was very dirty and not a little pongy !! He looks cute again now and smells like a baby (courtesy of 'baby fresh' spray on thingy from the Vets).  Image  courtesy www.allposters.ie.  Not my lad but looks very like him. :)

Namaste
Marie.

Graduation Day 2014 :)

The day has finally has finally arrived and  it was with mixed emotions I prepared myself for the big moment.  Got the hair done, sorted out the dress, collected my gown and mortar board (!!) and prepped the bare legs for unveiling to the world (not a pretty sight without Sally Hansen, thanks Sally).  OH managed to get home early from work and we headed to UCD.  I was really nervous at the thought of getting up in front of all those people.  However it was a great event and I had one of my good friends beside me as we both have the same surname, (as grads conferrings done alphabetically), and we were able to calm each other down.  Afterwards realisation dawned as to what the heck were we so nervous about !!

There was a reception afterwards, tea, coffee and nibbles, delicious.  Later on my self and OH went for a few drinks to celebrate.  Tomorrow night myself and a group from college that have been friends since we started this journey of discovery are going out for drinks and dinner to celebrate in style.

Not a very original shot but a better one of moi !!

Namaste
Marie.

Tuesday 2nd September 2014.

Today was a busy enough kind of day.  Up at 9am and prepped a few bits for dinner this evening as I was going to be out and about most of the day.  Made some hm soup, veggie, and some bruschetta and then brought doggie for walk down to Tesco for some nice crusty bread to serve the bruschetta on.  When I got home headed out to Bray to visit mum and also to return the laptop that I had purchased about 10 days ago.  Not happy with it and Windows 8, it was so SLOW, full of viruses, registry errors, crashing and not responding............... enough of that.  Thankfully the kind Customer Services people were happy enough to refund my money as I start my MA on Monday next and I need a new computer, as this one, a Dell about 5 years old, is on its last legs.  Despite this I'm still using it.  Good OLD DELL :)  Just as I wrote that the font size went a little funny...............

Tomorrow is a bit of a special day, its my Graduation day and I'm schedule for 5.30 pm, then there's a reception afterwards so should be a nice day.  Getting the hair done in the morning and meeting my best friend for a bit of lunch, visited mum today so won't be going out to her tomorrow, have to be up in UCD by 4.45 at the latest.  DD1 did my colour for me tonight - cannot have any greys in the graduation shots !!

Will post some pics tomorrow night.  Here's a blurb on what 'cum laude' means when graduating.

"Cum laude" is a Latin term that means "with honor." This term is used during graduation to distinguish college students who have met certain high academic standards. The term often appears on a degree or diploma.  Graduating cum laude means that a student has maintained a certain grade point average during undergraduate study. Cum laude is one of three honors that graduates can earn. A higher honor is magna cum laude, which means "with great honor." The highest honor is summa cum laude, which means "with greatest honor." This system of honor is typically used in the United States, Canada and a select few European nations.

Courtesy www.google.ie

Namaste

Marie.

 

1st Sept 2014`

New month, new routines and goals to be reached.  Slow start to the morning by other members of the household, but not moi!! Up at attem by 7.30.  DD2 in a lot of pain with some sort of infection so had to get her sorted out asap so made appointment at Dr's for her for 11.30.  Woke school student up, no sign of him getting up at 7.55 and he starts school at 8.00am.  First full week back and he's late on the first day. Oops !
Rang school to let them know, didn't think I'd have to be doing that again with DD2 finished in school.

Brought doggy for walk, one of my new goals is to walk him every morning, as my lectures and seminars are all in the afternoons so I have no excuse.  Had to let DD2's work know she wouldn't be in at 11 as she was due to do a shift.  Were'nt too happy but had been trying since 9.30 to get an answer, finally got through at 10.40.  Brought her to Dr and she is now on a course of antibiotics which seem to have started working already.  Called to SW to let them know I'm going back to college and then came home after visiting the Drs as well.

Later DD2 has to go to the school to view some of her exam scripts to see if they were unfairly marked as she was unhappy with a couple of her results despite doing well overall.  So we shall see.

This evening it will be reheats and left overs as did lots for dinner yesterday for 6 people and only 3 people were here for dinner. Waste not want not in this house.

image of DD2's debs group, she is first girl on the right, second row from the front beside the two guys.

Namaste
Marie.

Sunny Sunday 31st August, 2014.

Last day of August and September looms.  Cannot believe it is the end of the summer, although today the sun is very hot indeed.  I personally prefer the cooler weather to the extreme heat and I enjoy the evenings getting shorter, going out for walks and seeing into peoples sitting rooms with their lamps on and looking all cosy. (Yeah I'm nosy too) but its usually to see the decor rather than anything else.  I enjoy getting back into a routine and early starts, mad as that sounds.

Took the doggy out for a long overdue walk and he really enjoyed it, so did I.  It was good to get out into the sunshine.  Lots of people out walking dogs, jogging, walking their babies, having coffee outside coffee shops etc.  Life is good when the sun shines isnt it?  DD1 out on a date last night and DD2 at work to 8am this morning.  Students both doing their things today too.

Hoping to meet up with a friend for coffee this afternoon, and before that I have to do an invoice for OH to get the pennies rolling in.

This is the coffee shop I passed earlier and it was full of families having brekky and coffees, bikes and buggies abounded outside.

www.googleimages.ie








Namaste,
Marie.

early doors early post 31/8

Forgot to mention yesterday that it was myself and OH's wedding anniversary :) 28 years in fact.
Got him a card but true to form believed he would forgot.  He didnt.  So we went out for dinner to celebrate and it was lovely.

So this early hours post is to make note of the fact.


 Namaste
Marie.

Relaxing Saturday August 30th 2014`

Had a nice relaxing start to the day and hoping it will stay that way.  Not a lot planned, just usual household stuff, make curry, home made soup and perhaps some baking.  Have to call out to Mum later on and do some grocery shopping, nothing too strenuous hopefully.

Student gone out with his mum for brunch and the other student is washing her clothes.  DD1 and DD2 both in bed and OH gone out to do some work.  He's self employed so its a 6-7 day week most weeks.

Have some typing to do for him as well, invoices, etc. so despite the relaxing title will be busy enough.

Tonight gonna take it easy maybe watch some tv or do some reading.  Really like Anna Politkovskaya russian writer and her books, have this one.  Very illuminating.








Namaste
Marie.

The day after D. Debs.... Day 29/8/2014

Well yesterday was a busy busy day, started off at 11 with a trip to the hairdressers with DD2 to get our hair done, she was having her cut and curled a la Grecian style to  go with her grecian style dress.  Left her there and came home, then later on she had to go to the Debs Venue to set up the room with the Debs committee, so dropped her there and then collected her afterwards. We had to make an unscheduled stop at the school to drop balloons off there for the pre debs reception for the parents and the debutantes and their partners.  Back home at 4pm to have DD1 do her make up and then she kindly did mine as well so we both looked well especially DD2.  Her boyfriend's mum and sisters arrived to have a viewing of DD2's dress and drop the boyfriend off.  So we had some prosecco and juice to toast the couple.  Jordan, the boyfriend brought her a gorgeous corsage which could be worn around her wrist and accessorised with wine fabric as her dress was wine and black, he also coordinated his dress suit with a wine dicky bow and wine showlaces, they looked teriffic.  Then the four of us headed to the school for the drinks reception and myself and OH had planned to go out for dinner afterwards but we never got there, we ended up in the pub with some of the teachers and the parents, so a quick bag of chips much later on, when on the way home.  Very good night but very tired today :(

Will post photos when they are uploaded from camera.

Namaste
Marie.

Wednesday debs preps 27/8/2014

Today has been 'one of those days' when all went awry. 'nuf said.  However DD2 got her nails done, fingers and toes, and her tan done, and got some lovely jewellery.  Tomorrow its hair and getting dressed.  She will be beautiful.  Her boyfriends mum and family are coming over to see the deb and her lovely boyfriend.  They will be fab.  I remember my own debs, the big song out at the time was Chicago's 'if you leave me now' cicrca 1976.  My lovely mum made my dress. It was power blue chiffon, wish I had a pic. :)


Namaste.
Marie.

Tuesday......... time to get going 26.8.2014

The time has come to get ready for back to college.  My students are in situ and the school going one already back for the final year of his schooling, the Leaving Cert, which my DD2 just completed and had results for.  My own DD2 is starting her college registration tomorrow so she will be getting into the swing of how they do things in UCD.  Luckily I have some experience of the registration hurdle so hopefully will be able to assist although I dont want to do it FOR her, she has to navigate these steps herself.

This week I have a good bit to do, tomorrow I meet my Mentee one to one for the first time.
Thursday I am at the hairdressers in readiness for the parents input on Debs night.  Have to look the part !
I also have to call out to mum and meet up with the college buddies, so a lot going on.  Next week its graduation and induction for the MA.  I do love being busy but sometimes it can be a bit TOO busy, but anyhoo, I can only do what I can do.















Booked my robe and mortar board today so am all organised for graduation, now just have to decide what dress to wear ?  This is what it will be like with the BA ARTS colours, obvs I'm not a man but you get the idea !


(image www.ucd.ie/academicdress.)






Namaste
Marie.

wet and windy Monday 25.8.2014

Terrible wet and windy day today and decided to spend the day indoors.  Had a bit of a domestic morning and made home made soup, hummous, and spagetti sauce.  Feeling all virtuous :)  It did ease off a bit so took Bobby out for a walk, his first in a while (hangs head in shame).  He enjoyed it and got back before it started pouring again.  Had some hm soup and brown bread for lunch, delicious.

Getting used to the new laptop and its good.  Keyboard is SO much better than the old one.
Decided to light the fire today, cannot believe its still August its so cold and damp and the forecast for the rest of the week is more of the same.

My Spanish student is moving in tonight as he is back to school tomorrow, first day of term.  Yikes where has the summer gone ?

Namaste
Marie.

Saturday/Sunday 23-24th August, 2014

The last 24 hours have been manically busy and didnt get a chance to post until just now.  Between the Brazilian moving out of her room and downstairs, and the Spanish student and his mom arriving to bring his stuff to the house prior to moving in, its been busy.  My DD1 went away for the weekend to Clare for her birthday and DD2 was working, although she did have a bit of a night out at her friends 18th.  Her boyfriend was away on the naval reserves weekend so she didn't mind working as much.  She spent today catching up on her sleep and has now gone to boyfriends'  house for the night.

After prepping the Sunday dinner popped to Bray to visit Mum and also popped to Tesco to get a new laptop which they had at a good price. My present Dell is 5 years old and about to give up the ghost, in fact the battery needs replacing and its approx 120 euro to replace.  The Toshiba laptop from Tesco was 279 euros so a no brainer really.  Delighted with it, and it has Windows 8.1 - just have to get used to it before I go back to college.  Thats not until 9th September so a good bit of time to become familiar with it.
Tomorrow finishing a bit of a job that I started for OH on Friday.  Also have to book my robe and mortar board for graduation on 3rd September and book hair appointment for Thursday for DD2's debs night parents drinks beforehand.  Have to look well for that :)
www.googleimages.com

Namaste
Marie.

Friday 22/8/2014

Suffice to say it was another early start.............. awake at 3am,  up at 6am.  Had to do some work for OH today so worked from 8.30 to 12.30 then home for a quick bite  and then into the city centre to meet DD2 for a fitting for her debs dress.  Its gorgeous and fits her perfectly now that its perfect around the the bust and back.  Cycled home and got some groceries, then Claudia, the brazilian student arrived home.  Had some dinner and then DD1 arrived home so we had a good chat.  She got a gorgeous Alex and Ani bracelet from her colleages in Inglot and its in her birthsign Virgo.  Now watching a programme on BBC4 about Kate Bush.  Its amazing how many songs she recorded that I had forgotton, of course Wuthering Heights is the biggie one everyone knows, the Man with the Child in His Eyes, Running up that Hill, great songs.  But Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite novels and so the song has to be up there also. :)  Image www.googleimages.ie

Namaste
Marie.

Its been some day......Thursday 21/8/2014

After yet another sleepless night (this is getting to be a problem) I was up early and set about getting a load of chores done and ticked off a list.  Had a very productive morning without setting foot outside the house or spending a cent :) Always a good sign.  However after lunch the day got a little frantic.  My student came home and was very upset as she has been unable to get a job or find alternative accommodation.  She came to me yesterday asking me to let her stay longer and she would pay me directly.  I have another student coming on Sunday for 9 months and do not have another spare bedroom unfortunately.  However we agreed she would stay for another 4 weeks and I would turn my (unused) back room into a bedroom. Great, or so we thought, as she had been in tears and thinking of leaving and going back to Brazil.  Felt so sorry for her and happy to help her out, or so I thought.  Next thing I get a call from the College where she is studying and is paying them for her accommodation (some of which feeds through to me from them).  They are not happy that she is negotiating with me and advised that this should not be happening.  I do not want to lose their custom as I am using the student fee to pay  my college fees for 2015-2016 and need to keep getting students from them.

This has placed me in a very difficult situation here in the house and she is not happy having to pay their rates but due to the cost of accommodation here in Dublin rising all the time, and with the new University terms starting in September prices are at a premium if you can find somewhere to rent.  Wish I had half a dozen more rooms to spare.  Will have to call the college in the am as she is not happy and I am stuck in the middle of it all.  Lesson learned, I will never get involved directly with a student, it is not worth it.

On the up side my dd2 has decided to take the Animal Science course offered her in UCD and do a year of that degree course and apply to university in Hungary to do Veterinary Medicine. So excited for her, and her boyfriend is also going to UCD to do archaeology & history, the degree that I have just finished.  Wish I was 18 again and starting off in life.  They are so lucky.  The boyfriend has also been accepted into the Naval reserves so thats exciting for him too, although it means he will be away some weekends every month but thats life.  When she goes to Hungary she will be away, but thats a year away, anything can happen in that time. Although they have been together just three years, since they were 15 and 16 years old respectively.  Ah young love.

 www.googleimages.com
Image of Szent Istvan University campus.  It was established in the 18th century. Looks fab.

Namaste
Marie.

Crash bang boom Wednesday 20th August 2014.

One of the houses on our road is being renovated and an extension put on and the builders start at 7.30 each morning which is not so nice when one is trying to catch a few extra zzzzzzz's before getting up.  However this morning at 7.45 was up and getting organised for the day ahead.  Was meeting the UCD gang at 10.30 in Merrion Tree and in the afternoon was calling out to Mum and then meeting up with my Mentee for the first time.  It went well but now I am drained and exhausted.  Watching Young Vets on BBC2 with DD1 and the dog and a nice cold beer.  Will be hitting the bed early.

Short and sweet.

Namaste
Marie.

Tuesday 19/8... the morning after the (sleepless) night before..........

Oh what a night and not for all the right reasons.  Last night was one of those nights whereby I was unable to sleep, despite the fact I was tired, it wasn't a full moon or anything, I just couldn't sleep.  Thinking about DD2 and her situation and how to get her funded for 5.5 years of Veterinary Medicine study abroad.  She was out with her school friends celebrating the college offers (even though the one she got isn't  what she wanted)  but it was nice to see her out enjoying herself with the girls. Her boyfriend didn't get his choice either and decided to stay home and I for one am glad she decided to go out.  Needless to say I was awake when she got in at 4.45 am.  Even though everyone was in safe and sound sleep eluded me, until 7am when of course I needed to be up by 8 as I had arranged to meet a friend at 9 !!

DD2 is still in bed and it is now 3.30pm.  Ah the life of a teen.  Nothing much planned for tonight, got a book from the UCD library 'Where are we now ? New feminist perspectives on women in contemporary Ireland'. Might as well get started on the study.  Image is a nod to DD2 and her dream to do Veterinary Med.
www.google.ie/images.

Namaste
Marie.

CAO offers day 18/8/2014

Waiting today to see what DD2 gets offered but it wont be her first choice, and unfortunately due to the points going up its not second choice either, so animal science is what she was offered, but she dosn't want it.  She really wants to do Veterinary Medicine and we are now going to look at Budapest which is 10,800 per year for tuition fees not including accomodation and food etc.  She is going to work for the next year to try to get some of the fees together and then we can apply to the Credit Union for a loan, also I can rent out her room next year whilst she is away and pay towards some of the fees.  Its all in the lap of the universe now.

Namaste
Marie.

Lazing on a sunny afternoon.... Sunday 17.8.2014

Not a lot planned for today, going to let today happen organically, not plan anything.  Have spent the last hour or so on the computer reading my favourite sites and blogs and checking out the newer journals that I SO love.  By journals I mean notebooks of a certain name that I always have to have at least one of on the go for my scribbles and thoughts.  With college starting up on 9th September and with the two DD's starting as well I am planning to get them one each for their own use as diaries, for notes or anything at all.  However the bigger ones, which are the ones I favour are usually 18-22 euros each which comes to a 60+ euros tab However its a one off event, and maybe the start of a new tradition chez Marie's house.  There is a local bookshop which sells them so I may pop in there this week and check out the styles and prices, and support a local business as well.

Other than this today I am just going to relax, do some chores and get a few groceries nothing too strenuous or requiring effort.  Gosh I sound lazy today.  Well it is Sunday, DD1 has gone to work (I dropped her) and DD2 is in bed after her 10-6 shift.  OH is in bed as he was out last night.  So why should  I rush around?

This is one of the designs I like, spirit of womankind.  Kinda relevant for my MA Women, Gender and Society.  Image courtesy of www.paperblanks.com.

Namaste
Marie.

Slowly getting started today Sat 16.8.2014

Yesterday left me feeling sick and headachy, and I had two migraines during the course of the day.  Was at hairdressers when I got the first and the second was when I was in Mum's house but I soldiered on of course !   When I got home at 4.30 I headed straight to bed and slept for over two hours which left me feeling a lot better.  So much better in fact that I managed to get dressed and go meet 3 college buddies for drinks which had been planned for about 4 weeks so completely recovered.  It was a late one as well, 1am.

So a late slower start to the day which is always nice, once up I stripped the bed and put on clean fresh sheets (nothing to do with anything i had done) but its always nice to get into a clean fresh bed.   Did a bit of tidying up around, put away clothes, that sort of thing, nothing too strenuous.  Then I headed to the local supermarket for a few supplies, then came back and had a cuppa.

Dinner will be something easy to put together, DD1 is at work til later (7pm)DD2 is in bed as she has the graveyard shift again tonight, and OH usually goes out on Sat nights, so i may have a glass or two of vino and watch some recorded programmes, if nothing interesting is on.  I know the soccer season has started but that to me is not interesting.  Sorry hope I didnt offend anyone.

I am really looking forward to getting back to Uni and getting my teeth into the Masters, although I know it won't be easy but I'm still looking forward to the cut and thrust of the campus, meeting new people, meeting old friends and trying out new experiences.  Bring it on!!!

Next week I also start Mentoring my mentee, I have been matched and will meet her for the first time next week, in the company of the project co ordinator.  Nervous but looking forward to it  So much to look forward to in the months ahead.













Namaste
Marie.

Frantic Friday 15th August 2014

Well not really frantic but a busy day ahead.  Woke at 5am as DD2 was coming in from 6-4am shift poor pet.  Couldn't get back to sleep so got up at 6.03 am.  The early bird catches the worm and all that.  Had a cuppa, put on a wash, hung out a wash, oh the excitement.  Had to do my MA registration last evening so that has been on my mind, hope I got it done correctly.  Only time will tell :)

Ellen coloured my hair for me last night. (just a couple of greys LOL) and this morning I'll head down to the local hair dressers and have it blow dried, its great as the curly blow dry lasts a week so money well spent.
Also have to go to Credit Union to sort out a payment and drop DD2 back to work for 12 noon.
Then will be heading out to Bray to see my little brother (he's 48) who's down from Donegal for a few days to visit mum and the rest of the family.  Will have lunch with him and then we will head over to the Nursing Home to visit Mum.

Student is heading to Milan today for the weekend, its her birthday on Sunday so its a birthday treat for her from her family.  Very nice present, I've never been to Milan, it looks fab.  One day i'll get there.  Heading out tonight for a few scoops with three of my college buddies, so looking forward to that, will have to peruse my wardrobe for something nice to wear.

Was looking at the itinerary for a Tudor-Stuart conference which is being held in Maynooth (NUIM) from 29-30th August, would love to go but I am tied up on the 30th with Mature student orientation day as Communications Officer, have to take names and nos etc. of new joiners.  Ah well thats prob more important in the scheme of things.  Still............. Little image from Conference poster.  Love that era in History.  image www.tudorstuartireland.com




Namaste
Marie.

Leaving Cert Results day 2014.

Day started off with stress levels very high in the house with the results being given out at 9am in the school. Got to the school at 8.50am and there was a huge number of students waiting for their results. Delighted to say that she got terrific results and was happy and so were we. The rest of the day went in a blur and she had a gang over last night for drinks before heading out to a LC disco. One of the parents had a party for the parents and teachers and headed down to that for a couple of hours. Home later to a house full of glasses, cans and bottles for tidying. Not the best end to the day but its a one off event. Namaste Marie.

Late update.........training day Tuesday 12th August.

Trying to get back to a routine of getting up earlier in preparation for back to college in september so for the last few mornings I have been setting my alarm for 7.30-7.45. But by dinner time I'm exhausted. How bad is that? With having the student as well it is necessary for me to get up for breakfast, although she is an adult and does not need me but its good manners after all. Today I had another good reason for being up early, I had my final training session for my Mentoring/Volunteering role which will be starting soon. It was a two hour session which was meant to be with another parent mentor but it ended up just myself and trainer. It was a one to one but it was great and I asked loads of questions and the two hours passed very quickly. I then had a half hour follow up session filling in forms and signing forms and it looks like I will be 'matched' with my parent 'mentee' very soon. Excited and nervous both at the same time as I have never done this type of role before. It will be challenging and rewarding I feel. Got home and prepped fish pie for dinner. Claudia came home and needed to open bank account so headed down to bank with her to sort that out. Tomorrow is the big LC results day, Leaving Certificate, its the 'be all and end all' for 17-18 year olds here in Ireland and the results will be given out from 9am at the school tomorrow, so another early start. DD2 seems a little edgy which is to be expected and I so hope she gets what she needs for Veterinary Medicine. Namaste Marie.

Just another manic Monday 11th August. 2014

Our Brazilian student arrived yesterday evening and she is very nice, Claudia from Salvador.  She is here to learn english and is a marine biologist.  Very impressive. Her english is poor but we are coping with the help of dictionaries and improvisation. She left for school at 8.30 this morning and isn't back yet but she has friends here in Ireland (Brazilian) so I guess she's with them, she's 28 in any event, not a child.

Myself and my dd1 headed to the local SW office to get an outstanding matter sorted out, unfortunately with the civil service its very frustrating trying to get ahead of the posse.  Got there before opening, and when we got in at the desk the person in 'the overpayments section' wasnt in and 'might' be in in half an hour, or might not.  Wouldn't give us a name, they dont do 'appointments' so we said we would come back at 10.15, luckily she was in then.  Honestly these civil servants have the life, I wonder how they would cope in the real world of the private sector !!?

We had made a list of things to do today but unfortunately its been 'one of those days' with very little successfully completed, however onwards and upwards, she has gone out for a run now to try to calm down.  On the plus side her insurance was paid for her today by her dad so she is back behind the wheel, it expired last week only.

Lasagne in oven, dd2 gone into town to get debs shoes, so all quiet here at the moment.

Dog on couch, dinner prepped,, all is good with the world.  Little different, as its heart shaped, as all my other dishes are too big and lasagne ends up very skinny, iykwim so this one will be thicker hopefully.














Namaste
Marie.

Busy Saturday/Sunday 9th/10th August, 2014.

Lots to do today so up early and out to Bray for 12.00 noon to meet up with Helen my best buddy, since we were 13 years old.  We met in 2nd Year in school and have been friends ever since.  We headed down the seafront in Bray, and old victorian holiday resort on the train line, for a walk, and then had a coffee and a chat afterwards.

Then I headed over to visit Mum in the nursing home, she has settled in well and mixes with the other residents now which she didn't at the beginning.  Was chatting to one of the nurses and she said that Mum's memory has deteriorated at a fast pace, noticeably in the last while, and that is the way with dementia, my Dad had it too and it can move very quickly.  She wasn't in the best of form for some reason but it was good to see her and she was pleased to see me.

I had planned to meet a college buddy at 4pm in Enniskerry village and it is close to the nursing home, hence why we chose it, she lives in Greystones, which is a couple of minutes by the motorway from there so it suited us both.  Have not seen much of her over the summer break from college and she has not yet decided whether to do Art History or Irish history for her Masters.  We had a lovely chat, albeit we were sitting outside and had to leg it inside when the rains came.  It rained on and off for the rest of the evening.  We are experiencing the tail end of hurricane Bertha here in Ireland so seeing lots of heavy falls of rain.


When I got home prepped a chicken curry with rice, well I had prepared it earlier so it was handy enough to get it done.  Made one chicken curry and one veggie curry (for me).  Trying to cut down on my meat intake.
Yet another friend was calling over about 9pm so we chatted until 1.22am and had a few beers.  Finally fell into bed at 2pm.  My youngest DD2 was working again last night and got home at 8am Sunday morning.  I was just getting organised to bring older DD1 to DSPCA where she is volunteering, go shopping and then get it all home.  Very tired now and its 10.53 am (Sunday.)  Going to take a nap now and then collect DD1 from DSPCA at 1pm.

I have a Brazilian student coming this afternoon for 2 weeks so need to prep dinner, tidy around the place and probably have to drop OH to collect car which he left last night as he was out having a few drinks.  The usual busy scenario here chez Marie. :)

image courtesy www.googleimages.com

Namaste
Marie.

Friday 8th August 2014.

Its Friday again!! Where are the weeks and the summer getting to?  Its well into August already and examination results and college are looming large in the lives of the women in this household.  Both my DD's are heading to college this September, as I am also:)  My younger DD is awaiting her Leaving Cert results next Wednesday 13th, and all going well will get a place in UCD.  My older DD is starting a year long course in Animal Care and Husbandry, which she hopes will lead to a place in UCD in September 2015 in their Veterinary Nursing course.  Fingers and toes crossed then.

I met a friend early this am for coffee which lasted over two hours chatting and catching up.  Had planned to get grocery shopping afterwards but by the time I got petrol, I had to head home to bring DD2 to work.  She finished her early shift at 5am this morning and was in again at 12 noon.  She is back in again at 10pm to night to 7 in the am.  She works in an american diner/restaurant and it stays open 24 hours at the weekends.  Poor pet she has had a lot of hours this week, as they are short staffed but it also means lots of pay !!

This afternoon has been spent watching the Show jumping (Aga Khan competition from the RDS) in Dublin and trying to find details of the cores/option modules that I have for my MA for September 2014-2015 but all I have are for 2013-2014 or 2010-2011 GRRRRR :(  I have finally resorted to contacting the Office in UCD but hate doing that as I dont want to look like a thicko, that I've missed something or should know whats what !! I have to register for my courses on Wednesday so want to make sure I get the ones I want or that the ones I fancy will be available when I go to register.  Ah well all will be revealed soon enough, just want to do stuff I like iykwim.

image from www.google.ie showing the Puissance competition, held annually at Dublin Horse Show and is on tomorrow, sadly won't be there tomorrow.  Its an exciting comp as they make the wall higher and higher and the person who jumps the highest wins it (obviously !!).  The Aga Khan is on round 2 and we are 7th so not doing so good at the moment :(

Namaste
Marie

Thursday - up and attem !! 7th August 2014

Thank goodness for a reasonable nights sleep last night. Awoke early and up at 9am made tea and brown bread for OH who was out last evening................ :( Headed up to UCD to collect some references for my MA application and also headed into Harry's Bikes to get my tyres pumped up, so much easier now to cycle.  Also bought myself a cooler new helmet...... 40.00 euro but my safety is paramount. LOL

Having a spendy day today already and its only midday.  This afternoon I am having my hair blow dried (lasts a week) so a 20.00 needed there plus tip of 3-4 euro.  Ah well all in the name of beauty.  Apart from that spending the rest of the day at home doing household stuff.  I have a Brazillian coming for 2 weeks on Sunday so need to get the house ship shape iykwim ?


This is the helmet.  image courtesy www.bellhelmets.com

Namaste
Marie.

Warm and sticky Wednesday 6th August. 2014

After a sleepless night due to heat and a brain that won't turn off :( Got up after OH brought up a cup of tea. Got dressed and headed out on my bike down to the Post Office for some supplies.  Got some flowers and maltesers for Mum as visiting her later.  Brought DD2 to work for 12.30 and then met up with her at 3pm in Coast to have a look at some dresses she had put by as possibles for her debs dress (which is on the 28th August).  We finally chose a grecian style wine and black one which shows off her figure beautifully.  It has to be altered slightly but it was very inexpensive in the sale so the alterations added only bring it to 140 euros.  Image below of the dress but in a different colour, and its hard to see it but only image I can find.

We found a nice kerbside cafe and had some coffee and cake to finish off our shopping trip.  The streets of Dublin were full of people sitting out drinking beer, wine, coffee, tea, enjoying the sunshine. It really is a wonderful city especially when the sun is shining.

Heading out now to bring OH to meet the 'lads' and then out to visit Mum.

Want to get to bed reasonably early and hoping to get a good nights sleep tonight.  Lots to do tomorrow.


Namaste
Marie.

tuesday 5th Aug late update.

This is a quick late up date as we left Kerry today to head home. Locked up the house and left Kerry at 10.45, after a quick stop off at the Fish shop to get some fresh fish, left Cahirciveen at 10.55 and arrived home 3.15pm door to door, non stop :)  Was absolutely exhausted, unpacked the car, and got organised back at home.  OH made a delish chicken curry and had that for dinner with rice (after a 1.5 hour snooze).
DS telephoned from Athens and we had a nice chat courtesy of the onboard phone on his boat.  It was lovely to have a long chat with him, and he seems to be enjoying his new job.  Really miss him though.

Now in bed watching TV and on laptop.  Night all.  Image is Portmagee harbour taken last week.

Namaste
Marie

Oh What A Night and early morning. Monday 4th August. 2014.

Wasn't particularly keen to go out last night and thought we were heading to the village for a few quiet ones.  Big Mistake !! We headed into Cahirciveen with the 3 lads from Dublin who have been visiting for the weekend.  The festival was in full swing and we headed into Franks for a drink, the Q at the bar was 4 deep.  OH persevered and we got a nice seat as well.  Then Pauric (who's about 6'6'' tall) decided we should go walkabout.  We headed to Mike Murt's (as mentioned in blog yesterday) but it was difficult to even get in the door so we headed to Bowlers (a farmer's pub apparently) and what craic we had.  A woman came in playing bagpipes and played a few tunes, and she had 2 girls with her collecting for charity.  We left there and decided to head for Kelly's Bar, a tiny olde world bar up the road (there are 8 bars in Cahirciveen, there used to be over 30 !!).  We had gone in there last year during the day and it was just a couple of old timers on stools chatting and singing songs.  Well this year its been 'pimped' and its a real young peoples joint (we were the old timers now !!) It even had a disco out the back, well I was in my element, love a bit of a dance, and i'm not mad about Irish music, but he had all the newer sounds and the golden oldies.  Danced for hours and had great fun.  Came out and it was 3am.  Headed home, Eamonn was driving, as he wasn't drinking (thanks Eamonn, who is now on his way home to Dublin). Got home and the lads had another beer and we all stood outside looking at the stars, there were lots of shooting stars and we were pointing out the Plough, etc and all the different ones we thought we knew.  I made a cuppa and got into my jammes, finally fell into bed at 04.24am but firstly I had to scrub my feet which were BLACK from the dancing barefoot.

What a night, it was one of the best night out's I've had in a long time, and all impromptu, the best kind of night, and added bonus, as I was drinking Heineken and not Pinot Grigio - no headache.

The lads have left now so will get cracking tidying up, washing bedding etc, and taking it easy for the rest of the evening.  Hope there's something good on BBC4 or another channel.  Image was taken on Saturday night before the lads went out and an impromptu session started in the house, sun was in Alan's face so its not a great one of him, but hes a great musician and good guy.  He cooked dinner yesterday evening as well.  Thanks Alan.  No drinking of any kind today or for the rest of the week. :)

Namaste,
Marie.

August Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd August.

A late enough start with the revellers getting home circa 3.30am :)  After a late breakfast, I headed out for a short walk with the dog around the local lanes and paths up to Paddy's house where he has 7 donkeys (not in his house I might add) and a little week old foal.  Luckily Paddy came along as I was heading back down the hill and the donkeys came up to the fence when they saw him.  The mother and foal were a little shy coming forward as I had the dog with me and mother was cautious around him which is understandable.
Got a good few shots of the mother and foal as well as the other donkeys as a group.

Here she is and only a week old.







Later on myself and OH headed over to Valentia Island and visited the lighthouse at Cromwell's Point, the site of an old Cromwellian Fort from the 1600s.  Its quite a small structure but our Guide AO was very knowledgable, as his own father had been a lighthouse keeper and he had grown up on different ones around the coast.  Afterwards we parked up and had our tea and sambos and soaked up the glorious sunshine in such a beautiful spot.

Myself and OH on Valentia Lighthouse Sunday 3rd August, 2014.

Namaste
Marie.

Sunny Saturday 2nd August. 2014.

Despite a wet and soggy start the sun came out and it was a glorious day here in Portmagee.  After a quick brekky of brown bread and banana headed into the village for a walk with Carmel.  Gilbert called in with the ride on mower and cut her grass (seriously exciting stuff this blog).  Carmel was delighted as her husband was on the way down and it would be a surprise for him and he wouldnt have to do it himself.  After lunch headed home and a few of G's friends are down for a  few days so we headed into Cahirciveen to the music festival and listened to some irish music, some ceili dancing and had a pint in  Mike Murts a real olde world pub in Cahirciveen.

Got home late and stoked up the  barbeque and had some steaks, salad and new potatoes.  Delis. Washed down with a few beers and vino, between us all, not just me drinking all of them.  After tidying up the lads got their guitars out and we had a bit of a sing song,. Now they have headed out and I am sitting in front of a blaze turf fire with a glass of Pinot watching the Jane Austen Book Club movie on TG4.  Bliss.

interior of mike murts cahirciveen

Namase

Wet and windy Friday 1st August.

Well its the 1st August and the weather has decided to take a hike.  Its been wet and windy since last night and no walk is possible today, and thats partly due to the weather, getting my hair blow dried and the soreness in my limbs since the climb yesterday!!  So today has so far been spent cleaning, tidying, ironing, and putting on washes, very exciting and not very holiday-ish but when one is in one's own holiday home such chores have to be done.

There are a few of OH's buddies coming down for the weekend so we will probably go out for dinner tonight so no need to cook tonight.

Image from southkerrycameraclub.ie of sunset over portmagee, it will be back................

Namaste
Marie.

Thursday 31st July.

I know I skipped over Wednesday but in truth there wasn't much to report on.  Today I achieved a goal which I have been thinking about for a while here in Kerry. I climbed Coomanaspic, which is an extremely large hill outside the village of Portmagee, myself and my friend decided to tackle it yesterday and we only made it up a bit of the way, today we decided to try for the Grotto which is situated quite close to about 3/4 from the top and once there we decided to climb to the top.

Such a great feeling to get to the top, I'm not sure how high it is, however, it is described as one of the highest places in Ireland to be reached by car and we did it on foot.  It was an endurance feat and we both felt great at the top.  Coming down was nearly more difficult as you are forced forward all the time and it was extremely hard on the knees. All in all it took us about 58 mins from house to top and back.  Not bad going for a couple of 'walkers'.  The image dosnt really do it justice.

Namaste
Marie.

www.googleimages.ie

Quiet Tuesday 29th July

Didnt do too much today, my regular walk alright with Carmel and later on went out for dinner to the Ring of Kerry Hotel, a beautiful dinner in fact of salmon darnes, on a bed of mash with asparagus spears and buttery sauce, scrumptious.  Later on we visited the village for Irish Music Night in the Bridge Bar.  Home later about 12 midnight so straight to bed.

Not a lot to report is what I said.

Namaste
Marie.

Monday 28th July.

Did my usual walk with Carmel and afterwards headed home to escape the madness that Portmagee village has become, due to the fact that scenes for the upcoming Star Wars 7 are being filmed on Skellig Michael, a World Heritage site no less, what with security guards on the car park, cars all over the rest of the village, and coverage on the radio about it all, leading to more people heading into the area.  The quiet sleepy village has been transformed by this activity.  Apparently Mark Hamill was spotted on Skellig Michael after getting out of a helicopter and no doubt other luminaries will be spotted in due course.  It has been all kept under wraps for the last number of months and now its all out in the open, literally :)

I'm not a Star Wars fan although I did see the very first one when I was a teen but 'the extent of it.
I'm very surprised that permission was granted to film on a World Heritage Site of such significance, but its been generating a lot of money in the area so I guess the pros outweighed the cons in this regard.  There is even a naval vessel the 'Roisin' patrolling the area around Valentia Island and the waters around Skellig Michael.  Madness !!

image courtesy googleimages.ie

Skellig Michael, World Heritage site.




We had a lovely night last night, as we headed to Reenard and O'Neills on the Point, which is a gorgeous little restaurant with gorgeous fish dishes, we had calamari (squid) which was delicious and then we headed over on the ferry to Valentia and then drove around to Portmagee village.  We stopped off in the Fisherman's Bar to listen to a very good musician and then headed home in the early hours.

Namaste
Marie.

Addendum to Sunday's post..................

Just saw this on FB and its relevant to charlie chaplin................its a bit deep but its good.