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.

That went well, phew!

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, left Ireland yesterday, and the concensus is that the visit was a huge success. I want to record a few thoughts of my own here:

We expected to welcome her, to give them the Irish Céad Míle Fáilte, but we didn't expect to fall in love with her. But, if the papers (and my friends!) are anything to go by, that is exactly what happened. We started off thinking she was great, at 85 years of age, to undertake such a visit, but by the end of it, we were charmed, even though she didn't taste our Guinness. Reporters in the Storehouse say that Prince Philip looked longingly at the pint, but didn't partake.
I honestly don't think I've ever seen the Queen laugh as much as in this photo (courtesy of Associated Press). Apparently, Pat O'Connell, the fishmonger, was telling her that he was 30 years married, practically to the day, and the last time he was this nervous was on his wedding day.

In spite of the huge security risks, she looked relaxed and happy to be on Irish soil. And, in spite of the fact that, in Dublin at least, we couldn't get within a few streets of her, again because of the security risks, we felt the impact of her visit all around us. The most important thing was that she would be safe, so we didn't mind not being able to shake the Royal hand.

Looking at this photo of the pair of them, walking across from the helicopter to the Rock of Cashel, I realise that they are old but remarkable people. I have the height of admiration for the fact that they undertook this visit. Their schedule was gruelling, and they must have been exhausted by this stage (day 4), but they never once slumped, in any sense of the word. I don't think I would have had the energy for shaking 170 hands on night 3!

The big losers in all of this were Sinn Féin and those who refused to move on from the past. We don't forget our history, and let's not forget that the Queen's cousin was killed by an IRA bomb, but it's time to create a new history, and that's what happened this week. Led by our wonderful President Mary Mc Aleese, and together with the Queen ,we opened a new chapter.

I felt such a relief when the last day came and went without any incidents, as my biggest worry was that somebody would do something stupid. The Gardai did a fantastic job of keeping trouble-makers at bay, and although there were only a handful of them, they had the potential to cause trouble, throwing bricks and pushing barriers.

So, a momentous week.

And guess who's coming to dinner next week? Barak Obama, with Michelle.

It' just can't get much better, can it?

(all other photos are by Bauer Griffin)

Wonderful Day!

Céad Míle Fáilte to Queen Elizabeth 11 and the Duke of Edinburgh.

I think it's a wonderful day for both countries, and hope it will be the start of a new future for us as neighbours. I think, in all the photos I've seen, the Queen is smiling broadly and looks really, genuinely happy to be here.

Some think it's too early in the "peace process" for this visit- I disagree. I think Queen Elizabeth is very brave to undertake it, and I think we should welcome her with open arms. I commend our President, Mary Mc Aleese, and her husband Dr. Martin Mc Aleese, who have worked so hard building bridges towards peace on this island.

A tiny minority set out to cause trouble, but so far, the Gardai have done a fantastic job of keeping them at bay. They do not represent the majority, who fully support this visit.

Even though people will not get to shake hands with Her Majesty, because of stringent security precautions, everyone I know is delighted with this visit. The most important thing is that it is taking place, and that our visitors are safe and enjoy their first visit. We're happy to wait till next time, or another time, for the hand-shaking.

And finally, I'm very late with this, but I also want to say that I really enjoyed watching this beautiful couple!

(photo from Daily Mail)

I loved the pomp, ceremony, fashion (though not some of the hats).

Most of all, I loved that Kate Middleton did her own make-up!

On her wedding day! even I didn't do that, and I had only a handful of people watching me, not 2 billion! She definitely won me over with that act!

Happy Mothers' Day

Hope you all have a rockin' and rollin' day! And that you get spoiled , really spoiled.

Sorry I've been MIA recently, I'm doing my Horn Grade 7 exam tomorrow morning (yes! on a Sunday!!), and it's been a lot of work. Loving it, but it takes up a lot of time.

Back soon...

The Socks, and needing advice.

finished my first pair of socks!

The pattern is Wise Hildas Basic Ribbed Sock, and it's on Ravelry. I think I got the lead form Jane at WT knits. I loved knitting them, though they turned out bigger than I expected- I had too-big needles, (and on looking for the link I've discovered these are for men! though there is a women version) but they are so soft!

As soon as they were finished, I thought of the perfect recipient for them. Someone who may be relaxing from time to time, someone who needs to be pampered, and who could use tactile luxury. I sent them to Ais, hoping that she'll wear them when she's relaxing between physio sessions, or on her weekends at home.

Now to a dilemma I've been ignoring for more than a couple of years.

This is a really beautiful pattern, and the cables were intricate, but you know that feeling when you keep knitting something even though you know it's not quite right? Yes, too big, much too big, but don't want to rip it and start again.

What would you do?

Lovely visitor

Spotted this little guy Saturday morning on a sage leaf.

these photos are taken by hubby, you probably can tell that they're not my usual quality!

I love this last one, "let's see what's up this path".

Fruits, Mother's Day Gifts and Power Cuts, among other things!

It's been a busy week for the kids with music exams and Leaving Cert language orals for eldest daughter.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day here, and I got the most lovely gifts, useful too!

This one was from Eldest Girl, that green shoot in the background will produce blackberries.

And this one is from Middle Girl, a companion for my other blueberry bush. I had 2 last year, but one died off, and everyone needs a companion, right?.

This is what Son made for me, when I saw it I thought "what a lovely poster" but then I read the text, it's not over yet, I have some lessons coming up. (when I find time!), so expect great things on this blog from now on!.

Middle Girl's band were playing in a fundraising concert in a local church Friday night, but there was a power cut, so they played by candlelight, though some of them were more or less in the dark.

This photo doesn't really show quite how dark it was, but one girl practically had her nose on the music sheet trying to see!

They are such amazing young people, didn't complain, just got on with it. I really admired that, and learned from it. I have found that it takes very little to upset me before I play, and it's something I've wanted to change, so seeing them just get on with it in a "we're here to play, we'll play" kind of way, has helped me a lot.