Mellow Yellow Monday

This is an old knitting pattern that belonged to my Mum.

I've always loved the term "fuzzy wuzzy" to describe angora wool, it just seems word-perfect.

The shop stamp on it is The Knitting Pin, Prospect Road, Glasnevin (near cemetery).

More on that in the next post.

Drowsy Monkey hosts Mellow Yellow Monday- you can see more images by clicking below. Have fun!

Brighter day

Just want to say thanks to fellow bloggers for the lovely comments on yesterday's post.
Each one really did help.

Today is a brighter day, in every respect. I've settled at work, now got the mindset to just get on with it- kind of "change what I can and forget what I cannot" type of attitude.

And guess what? the sun came out today too!

suffer little children

I'm finding it hard to post these days. I hate publishing a depressing post, but that's the reality so look away now if you're seeking upbeat.

It's depressing being back at work, our school lost 5 teachers this year, and they are not being replaced. The reality of this is classes are bigger, and students who were getting much-needed attention in small groups can't get that now. All our teachers are timetabled to the maximum hours, and extra duties will have to be done outside that time.

I know that the country is in a desperate state, and that we have to cut our spending. We are already overspending by something like 22billion euro.

What gets me is that so much money was wasted over the last few years, and that the "topdogs" are still not feeling the pinch- for instance, a levy was put on public servants' pay last November, which should have included judges. But, because of a loophole in the legislation, designed to keep the judiciary independent of the government, the pay of a judge can't be interfered with, so they were asked to voluntarily pay that levy. Very few of them have done so. At the same time, 4 year olds are now in classes of 35, children with special needs are not getting the attention they need, despite the government having lured them out of special schools for the last 10 years with the promise of support.

Our government holds onto the jet, ministers hold onto pensions and expenses, judges don't pay the levy, banks have been bailed out...

And all the time, it's suffer the little children.

And it's rained every day this week.

Rant over. I'll try to do a more upbeat post next time.

Scent, glorious scent

Today's post of the day at Authorblog winner is Suzanne with How We Label Ourselves. Her post inspired me to put a few quick thoughts down..

Being an aromatherapist, I'm big into scent. Putting it simply, the area in our brain that recognises scent is located next to our memory area, so scent is intricately linked with memory. Just think about scents that you remember from your childhood, and there's your proof.


The first wedding I attended was when I was about 18. The bride was a sister of a priest who lived in a house beside us. My mother was asked to cater for the wedding, which had about 15 guests. I was the assistant cook and waitress.
It was the most intimate and beautiful wedding I've ever been to. The food was very simple- good quality, fresh ingredients, simply cooked with love. The bride wore a simple, white summer dress. Her hair was newly washed. The shampoo was Sunsilk, and for years afterwards, every time I smelled that smell, I was immediately transported back to that lovely day. I think the simplicity and absence of "showing off" was what impressed me.


Every time I smell freshly-cut grass, I'm immediately transported to my childhood. We had a large garden at the back of our house, but as my father was a self-employed businessman, he never had time to cut the grass (he barely had time to eat his meals!). So the grass grew long, and every August, Bill arrived on his bike with a sythe on the back, cut the grass and made it into 2 haycocks. We were warned not to play on top of them, or knock them down, as he would return a few weeks later to collect the hay. Of course we didn't obey- we'd climb up to the top, skid or jump down, make tunnels through at the bottom and we generally treated the haycock as a toy. This is what I remember when I smell freshly-cut grass!

When I had my 50th birthday party at home almost 2 years ago, I made up a mix of essential oils that I call "Ready to Party"- namely Geranium,Ylang Ylang, Orange and Rose. I was aware that all of these oils arouse a feel-good factor, but I swear, everyone there had a fantastic night, and some people who are normally quiet were surprised at how much they enjoyed themselves. I will probably forever associate this mixture with that night, and what a wonderful birthday I had.

So, what are your scent-memories?

Awards!

Awards!

Have now got my head around the award, so here goes:
Nominate & link up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
I will, with great pleasure, pass it on to:

Stephanie V at Hookin’, Knittin’ & Livin’ – she introduced me to Mellow Yellow Monday and Ruby Tuesday, she’s great at giving comments, she has the most amazing photos of her trip with Anne to Ireland, and I enjoyed meeting up with them in Dublin. Is that enough reasons, Stephanie my friend?

Valerie at Val’s Ramblings- I enjoy reading your stories, with an inevitable twist at the end. Your comments at mine are always very welcome.

Devon Rene at The Mikels Family- you’re one brave lady, and I’m praying that you little girl stays put for another little while.

Eternally Distracted- you make me laugh so much. Please share this award with Mec.

David Mc Mahon at authorblog- for awesome photography and for introducing me to some lovely blogs through POTD.

Pinkerbell at Ripples in a Small Pond- you’ve had a really tough time, you’re very brave, and I love your writing.

New England Girl- really interesting accounts and photos of a place I will visit some day! Wait for her “tons” of fall pictures! You promised, NEG!

Pig in the Kitchen- delicious recipes that have kept me tied to the kitchen (sometimes), and each recipe had a beautifully-written piece with it. My favourite is the Christmas Cake story. I’m so glad you’re back blogging again.

Gaelikka- Out of Ireland- you tell a great story, and I’m delighted to have found a fellow Irish blogger, but one who lives a very interesting non-Irish life.

Helena Frith Powell- for persistence in a new life and for entertaining and interesting stories from all over the place!

And last but not least…
Wife in the North- hers was the first blog I ever read, and it is so good that she hooked me for life! Her book is fabulous too, I’ve bought it as a gift on a few occasions, and all recipients have been happy. Thank you, Judith.

I hope you all get the same thrill that I got when I received Pastor Sharon's message! I know I've gone over the 9, but who's counting!

My First Award!

I've been given an award!
Sharon over at Dances With God very kindly gave me this. I'm not sure how exactly this award thing goes, so please give me a day to get my head round it.
In the meantime, thanks for the kind messages about the whole back-to-school thing. 2 days down, it has gone ok, just ok. More on that tomorrow..

Ruby Tuesday

This was the room service menu in Monart, and the minute I saw it I thought"Ruby Tuesday"! Isn't it pretty? The food list inside was good too- not a "Hang Sandwich" in sight! The photo was taken on the balcony-unfortunately my "point and click" photography doesn't really do the forest background justice, but I did my best.

So take a bow, Mary at Work of the Poet, and fellow bloggers,you're affecting how I view the world!

For more wonderful Ruby Tuesday pictures, click the link below.