Saturday, February 26, 2011

Upbeat



Sorry that I haven't been around for almost all of February, at least in terms of posting.


It's been a busy month, I've been doing lots of knitting, and I've been eating the delicious stuff that you see in the picture!

Busy month - 2 lots of exams (not for me-yay! Mocks!) eldest daughter was doing Mock Leaving Cert and Son was doing Mock Junior Cert.

School for me has been very busy, with some intense and difficult meetings. To say that we were ready for mid-term break is an understatement!


But what a lovely break! I went to Brussels on Sunday, to visit my friend C and in particular her daughter Ais, who has been very sick for a year now. I wrote about the terrible thing that happened to her here. Ais has been making great progress in the Rehab centre that she is now in, but she still has a lot of breathing problems, and was re-admitted to hospital on Monday with a respiratory infection. She is such a brave lady who works very hard at her recovery. She is inspirational.

But, in spite of that, we had a lovely time for my three days there, I was able to give both Ais and C some little foot massages each day, and we had some delicious meals. The family are great cooks, and they also all enjoy sitting around the table over a leisurely meal. We had long chats, caught up with other mutual friends and some good arguments too!

And on Tuesday, C and I went to a favourite restaurant in Brussels, where the chef is a very talented Irish lady. Little Ais insisted that we go ahead with the planned meal even though she was now in hospital, and we were able to reward her with a takeaway of mixed appetisers and one of these chocolate mousse creations!

And tonight, another Opera!

Eldest Daughter and I have gone to all the Met Live in HD this season, courtesy of the Sunday Times (until tonight- they changed from first-come-first-served free tickets to lottery, and we didn't win their lottery!Boo!) ; we've enjoyed it so much that we were unable to contemplate missing this treat, so we bought two tickets. Placido Domingo and Susan Graham were the leads in Iphigénie en Tauride and both were suffering from colds, but they gave wonderful performances. I think it's safe to say that I'm completely converted to Opera.

And as I sit typing this, the result of our General Election is coming in. There has been a seismic shift in Irish politics, the likes of which we haven't seen since 1915. About time too.

Listening to Enda Kenny, leader of Fine Gael, who will probably form the next Government in a coalition with Labour, I feel some confidence that the country will be able to get out of the mess that Fianna Fail led us into, and that we will be proud to be Irish again. I haven't heard Eamon Gilmore yet, but I'm sure he must be delighted with the huge vote his party got. Looking forward, for the first time in about 2 years, to tomorrow's papers!

So much to be thankful for. Update, with photos, of knitting in the next few days.

10 comments:

  1. Do you know that once I started blogging I gave up knitting? Still haven't figured out how to do both lol. It sounds like you've been busy living not blogging. Not a bad exchange!

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  2. Well Mimi, what interesting times we are having, eh?
    Glad you have been busy living! Look forward to seeing what you've been knitting, and I hope the mocks went well for all. We have them to look forward to next year in this house.
    I feel bad for my man Jay, who is a current affairs junkie, to be missing the election! Poor lad is off in Vancouver having a stressful time. And my Dad, who is an even bigger current affairs junkie is away too!! I am not doing a very good job of reporting but I think my brothers are making up for it!
    And yes, first time in I don't know how long that I am eager to turn on the radio and sit down with the papers!

    So, fingers crossed for a positive change overall here! :-)

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  3. Happy that all the busy-ness has had good times to balance those stresses. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your knitting.

    Good news on your election results. Fianna Fail has had a better-than-good innings. Time for change indeed!

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  4. You certainly been buys.;)) I have never been to Brussels but it sounds like you had a great stay.;)
    The desert looks delicious.;)
    xoxo

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  5. Looking forward to seeing the knitting.
    That food looks delicious. Glad you are happily busy!
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  6. Hi Mimi - thanks for your good wishes over at my blog -we are all delighted with Ciara's win for Labour - she had a great campaign and I'm very proud of hubby Jan for being her director of elections and managing her canvassing and campaign in general. He has been so busy with it since the selection convention but it's paid off. We hope too for a stable time which will restore our national pride and also not kill off the Public Servants with incitement to hatred like has been going on for the past two years. It's awful. And most unfair to presume that frontline staff don't need good backroom people.
    Anyway, I loved your post on Brussels and hope your friend's daughter continues good progress.
    All the best, Catherine

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  7. We've missed you but it sounds like you have been busy with life in a good way.
    Prayers for Ais.

    I'd love some of that yummy deliciousness you've been having. I've gained a pound just looking at it. :)

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  8. You've been busy! Take care, and I'm excited to see the results of your knitting frenzy when you post pictures.

    Amy

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  9. Sounds like a Grand time with friends!
    And well-wishes being sent for healing!

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