Where do I begin? This blog has gone to seed

Tried to get a post in before a month had gone by. Failed.

Life has been hectic, even a bit chaotic. I began a few posts, but abandoned them before I could even hit the "post" button. Then Blogger wouldn't let me post this, so I had to type in all in again.After a look around, i'm now on Firefox instead of IE. Here goes...

Enough excuses.

Another school year is over here, and school year end is always hectic. This one was no different, exams, corrections, reports, graduations, prep for state exams. It all just takes over, in the same way that Christmas shopping and cooking take over. A couple of late nights getting corrections finished, but got there in the end.

And we've had state exams in this house too. One Leaving Cert and one Junior Cert. Our lives have become a "who's on this morning and at what time", 2 timetables permanently on the kitchen counter, days being ticked off. Some exams start at different times to others, you have to be constantly on your toes! In fairness to Son, he was willing to make his own way home most days, which was a big help.

And Middle Daughter had a job! Attendant at the exams, which involved making tea for the Superintendent and bring candidates to the toilet. She loved it!

It seems an eternity since I was posting about my own French Horn exam. Thanks for all the good wishes. I'm glad to say that it all went well, and I'm thrilled with my result. The accompanist was wonderful, and the experience of rehearsing with her in the Peppercanister Church was amazing!

We've had an 18th Birthday in the house too! And a party! Lots of fun.

So, Happy 18th Birthday, Zoe. I'm so lucky to be your Mom, and even though I knew that from the first time you were placed in my arms, I have been reminded of it many times since then. You were so tiny and so vulnerable in those first days that I wondered if you would survive at all.

Survive you did! And you thrived. You have grown into a confident, capable young woman; you are willing to take on a challenge and see it through to the end. You have had some fantastic experiences through your school years, and they're not over yet! You have loads of friends, from many different groupings, and they all love you to bits. You love to travel (where did you get that from ?) but you're also happy at home. You are trustworthy, reliable, fun to be around, calm, witty, intelligent, hard-working, adventurous, kind. I hope I haven't forgotten anything here.

Most of all, you're Zoe. We all love you so much.

Promised Docklands post

Soooo.... the Docklands Festival was a bit of a washout.
It rained, then it rained some more, and more.
I wasn't too badly off, as I had a jacket with a hood (for once!), but poor Hubby had nothing for his head. We nipped into a little coffee place for a short while, in the hope that the rain would stop, but eventually we gave up and headed home.
Not before I got this picture for you! It's called the "Jeanie Johnson" and is a reconstruction of that famous Famine Ship.
What do you think of Jeanie? I think she's flaunting it a bit! We didn't go on board, because in spite of the rain, there was a huge queue.

Other news- I did my Grade 6 French Horn exam today. Why is it that, no matter how much I tell myself that it doesn't matter, that nothing rides on the result, I still get incredibly nervous the minute I go in the door? I've put in many hours on practice, yet I couldn't play the C scale.
The exam was supposed to be at 11.50, so by 11.40 I had warmed up and was all ready, except to nip to the toilet. But then I was called, about 10 minutes early. In that split second, I couldn't get up the courage to say "sorry but I've to go to the toilet first, my exam is not scheduled till 11.50" , so I went ahead in.

When I couldn't play the scales, I was disappointed, felt so let down. It must have looked as though I hadn't worked at all, and I hate that. It's not so much the result, as knowing that I didn't do myself or my teacher justice for all the work we've put in. I just wish I was not so easily thrown off course.
I've tried Rescue Remedy, essential oils, yoga, mind-over-matter...if anyone knows of anything else, please do tell. There is some trick about imagining the examiner naked, so if nobody has any better ideas, I might try that next time..if there is a next time!