Sunday, 30 September 2012

What We Got Up To This Month - September 2012



















- Uncle Paul Furey's Anniversary Night
- The Furey's & Friends
- Having a sing song in the pub
- A glass of red wine & fifty shades
- My new exercise regime
- Healthy yummy salad
- Meeting old friends at Paul Furey's Anniversary Night
- Bucks fizz, tea in our mugs and our wedding album
- Ready for our wedding anniversary
- Pink bubbly and chocolates
- Drinks on our date night
- Reading all the fifty shades books
- Yummy fresh fruit & water in our hotel for our wedding anniversary
- Wedding Anniversary presents & the lovely view from our apartment
- Wedding Anniversary presents the theme was paper
- Glass of rose, a good book & bed
- Crisp sandwich & a cup of tea
- Downton Abbey & a glass of red
- Paul, popcorn & Father Ted
- Yummy takeout food
- Night out for Mammy's birthday
- My lovely Mammy

What did you get up to this month? Where is the time going? It October already, and I am enjoying the night drawing in and the TV getting better. Love that Dowton is back!



Happy Birthday Mammy!



Her Hands

© Maggie Pittman
Her hands held me gently from the day I took my first breath.
Her hands helped to guide me as I took my first step.
Her hands held me close when the tears would start to fall.
Her hands were quick to show me that she would take care of it all.

Her hands were there to brush my hair, or straighten a wayward bow.
Her hands were often there to comfort the hurts that didn't always show.
Her hands helped hold the stars in place, and encouraged me to reach.
Her hands would clap and cheer and praise when I captured them at length.

Her hands would also push me, though not down or in harms way.
Her hands would punctuate the words, just do what I say.
Her hands sometimes had to discipline, to help bend this young tree.
Her hands would shape and mold me into all she knew I could be.

Her hands are now twisting with age and years of work,
Her hand now needs my gentle touch to rub away the hurt.
Her hands are more beautiful than anything can be.
Her hands are the reason I am me.



Happy Birthday Mam love you xxxx

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

I Even Love The Smell Of Books!


“I even love the smell of books.” - Adriana Trigiani

Fifty Shades Darker by EL James - So here we go with the second book in the Fifty Shades trilogy you can read my review of Fifty Shades Of Grey here is the storyline in a nutshell! Ana Steele has met and fallen for the super rich sexy but slightly emotionally disturbed Christian Grey. Its five days (yes only five days!) since Anna left Christian after she realised that she couldn't give him what he needs (mainly in his red room of pain) but she is in bits and she soon finds herself drawn back to Mr Grey like a moth to a flame. Ana soon settles into her new job at a publishing house she loves her job even with a creepy new boss we all know where this is heading! Ana tries to help Christian with dark past and to try deal with his "playroom" I can't help thinking if he wasn't so hot would Ana still be with Mr Grey? The storyline moves a really quick throw in a crazy ex sub who calls Christian "master", a pissed off ex boss and allot of run ins with the woman who helped make Christian what he is today. Oh and of course they "do it" almost every where in this book!
I found the first half of this book boring and just more of the same as the first book. Ana's pining for Christian   was so annoying. I really didn't like that its was only five days since she left him I was hoping for a least a month and to see how they where dealing without each other. I didn't really like the whole time line of both books I mean in six weeks, they have met each other, do some mad stuff together, met the parents, moved in together, Ana has got a new job, and fought off crazy mad ex's!! 
Still not sure on why women are crazy about Mr Grey. He still comes across as a control freak I mean Ana goes on holiday to see her Mother and he follows her stalker alert!!!He tells her when and what to eat, what to wear and fights with her about having a job!! If this was real life I think the police would be called!! But he is hot and loaded so I guess it's okay! Don't get me wrong I really like these books for what they are and that is fluff!! The writing is a little better in the second part of the book and I do think the title is a little misleading there is nothing darker really about this book well not in the bed room anyway! So on to the third and final book in the trilogy review to follow!


What did you think of the second book in the Fifty trilogy?

Battle of the Bulge - Week 13


Week 13

Monday: Walked to work today it was a nice morning so it was a nice 4.5km walk. I was mind my parents house and looking after there little dog this week so after work I walked 2.5km to there house. Making dinner for one sucks so I just has some chicken soup for dinner.

Tuesday: Walked to work from my parents house today so a nice 2.5km walk today. Again it was dinner for one as Paul was up in our apartment as I was minding my parents house while they where on holidays. So dinner was just beans on toast for me as I was doing the late shift in work. I also ate about three bars of chocolate....pms is a nightmare!!!

Wednesday: Today was my day off work today so I brought my parents dog PJ on a walk! We walked about 4km well I say walked I was more dragged then walked!!! I made steaks, mushrooms and mash for dinner today as Paul joined me house-sitting! Such bad PMS that I cried at the one show and ate my weight in chocolate!!

Thursday: Last day of house/dog sitting for my parents. Walked to work from my parents house so a 2.5km walk. After work Paul & I went food shopping (is it sad that I look forward to this) so dinner was just a quick pizza and chips.

Friday: Walked to work from our apartment so it was a 4.5km walk. Afterwards I went to the gym and done 5km cycling and it nearly killed me!! Dinner was fish and chips!

I didn't do battle of the bulge this weekend as I had a bit of a tummy bug. I not sure if I will carry on with this plan as my motivation is gone :(

Monday, 17 September 2012

Paul Furey A Celebration of His Life 10 Year Anniversary

Every year The Furey's and friends have a celebration of Paul Furey's life. Paul's 10th anniversary was on the 16th of June, but as the lads where on tour and other friends and family where on holidays. The decision was made to the celebration in September. Last Friday we had a lovely night, with friends from all over Ireland coming together to celebrate the legend that was Paul Furey. It was a beautiful night filled with music, jokes, pictures, laughter, and memories. 


And with so many precious moments, I don't know where to start
'Cause Paul you played the kind of way that walked right through the heart
And with a pint and a spoof, you were living proof of how to play the game
With so much left to give the world you left us just the same.


















Paul Furey Gone But Never Forgotten.

Battle of the Bulge - Week 12

My New Toys!

A new week a new mind set!
Week 12:

Monday: I resembled something from the walking day today, trying to walk to work with a horrible cold, runny eyes and nose and as pale as a ghost! I only managed to walk half way and got the bus the rest of the way. I managed to eat half a pork chop and some mash for dinner!

Tuesday: I slept most of the day as I was working the late shift today. I had some pasta and ham for lunch/dinner and again could only manage to walk as far as the bus stop and got the bus the rest of the way to work.

Wednesday:Today was my day off work, and I was feeling a good bit better. I went on a 4km walk and felt really good after it. Dinner was a lovely beef casserole.

Thursday: I walked to work again today so 4.5km and afterwards I walked to my parents so another 2.5km walk. I had dinner in my parents it was a lovely stew just what I need to help me get over a cold.

Friday: Walked to work today so another 4.5km on the clock. Dinner was a really quick pizza and chips and afterwards we went to a celebrate of Paul's uncle's life it was beautiful. Lots of music, laughter, memories and craic was had.

Saturday: Was spent in my pj's as I was a little bit sick after the night before! I did go twenty minutes exercise on my new machine. Dinner was takeout fish and chips with a couple of glasses of white wine!

Sunday: I went for a little 2.5km walk and had roast chicken with fresh vegetables and another twenty minutes on the exercise machine. Later Paul went out to a work do and I snuggled up with a glass of red and Downton Abbey!

The Bad
- That cold really knocked me for six!
- The lack of exercise I done this week.
- I ate alot of comfort food this week

The Good
+ I tried my best with the exercise even with a cold
+ I didn't gain any weight (didn't lose any either!)
+ My need exercise gadget I love it!

Not a great week but not a bad one either!

Sunday, 16 September 2012

Love/Hate!

Hate


* Getting only bills in the post - no-one writes to each other any more. I miss the excitement of getting a letter in the post. Roll on Christmas and we will get something other than bills in the post.
* Early mornings - I am really not a morning person and no matter how much I try I just hate early mornings especially after a few glasses of wine on a Sunday!
* People who spit chewing gum on the street - It just looks horrible.
* That person who everyone knows that everything is worse for them - like say if you are having a bad day, well there day is a million times worst!
* Colds - I have had one for the past ten days and it will not go away!
 * People who look refreshed and perfect in the morning - hubby included! I can hardly get out of bed and get dressed early in the morning, but some people look amazing at 7.30am WHY and why can it not be ME!?

Love


* Downton Abbey - I love this show from its very first episode, it always signals the start of autumn for me, drawing the curtains, lighting candles, glass of wine, getting cosy and Downton. What more can one ask for!? Plus Matthew and Mary finally made it up the aisle yay!
* The Fifty Shades Of Grey Trilogy - I didn't think I would enjoy this but I am...its not Bronte by any means but I am enjoying this dirty cheese fest! 
* My Hubby when he is drunk - recently he came home a little tipsy well more than a little tipsy and he is so funny because he tries to pretend he is not drunk and its so cute. I really do love this man!
* The Chill in the air - I love the change of seasons it reminds me of different holidays we have been on.
* Finding different blogs - I love discovering different blogs new blogs for me are talesfromahappyhouse Lots and  onthefirstdayofmarriage all of which I love.

What are you hating or loving this week?

Thursday, 13 September 2012

The Furey's Gigs 2012/2013



Sat : 29-09-2012
MULLINGAR, Arts Centre

Link to Website
Fri : 05-10-2012
BANTEER, Glen Theatre

Link to Website
Sat : 06-10-2012
THURLES, Source Arts Centre

Link to Website
Fri : 12-10-2012
LISBURN, Island Arts Centre

Link to Website
Sat : 13-10-2012
COOKSTOWN, Burnavon Arts Centre

Link to Website
Thu : 18-10-2012
DUBLIN, National Concert Hall

Link to Website
Fri : 19-10-2012
BIRR, Birr Theatre

Link to Website
Sat : 20-10-2012
ENNIS, Glor

Link to Website
Fri : 26-10-2012
KILLARNEY, Glen Eagle Hotel

Link to Website
Sat : 27-10-2012
BALLYMENA, Braid Arts Centre

Link to Website
Sun : 28-10-2012
BUNDORAN, Holyrood Hotel

Link to Website
Thu : 08-11-2012
ALBLASSERDAM, Landvast

Link to Website
Fri : 09-11-2012
MAARSSEN, t Zand

Link to Website
Sat : 10-11-2012
WESTERBORK, DE Turfsteker

Link to Website
Sun : 11-11-2012
BOVENKARSPEL, Vereenigingsgebouw

Link to Website
Mon : 12-11-2012
AUSTERLITZ, Beauforthuis

Link to Website
Tue : 13-11-2012
ZANDVOORT, De Krocht

Link to Website
Wed : 14-11-2012
VENRAY, De Witte Hoeve

Link to Website
Thu : 15-11-2012
HEERLEN, Cultuurhuis Heerlen

Link to Website
Fri : 16-11-2012
OOSTBURG, Ledel Theater

Link to Website
Sat : 17-11-2012
RILLAND, Luctor et Emergo

Link to Website
Sun : 18-11-2012
SPIJKENISSE, De Stoep

Link to Website
Mon : 19-11-2012
EIND, Gemeenschapshuis Reigerhorst

Link to Website
Tue : 20-11-2012
APELDOORN, De Gigant

Link to Website
Wed : 21-11-2012
HOOGERHEIDE, Podium Kloosterhof

Link to Website
Thu : 22-11-2012
OSS, De Lievekamp

Link to Website
Fri : 23-11-2012
ZAANDAM, Zaantheater

Link to Website
Sat : 24-11-2012
DELFZIJL, De Molenberg

Link to Website
Sun : 25-11-2012
JOURE, T Haske

Link to Website
Tue : 27-11-2012
WOLVERHAMPTON, The Robin 2

Link to Website
Wed : 28-11-2012
CLITHEROE, The Grand Theatre

Link to Website
Thu : 29-11-2012
NANTWICH, The Crown Hotel

Link to Website
Fri : 30-11-2012
SKEGNESS, The Great British Folk Festival
Link to Website
Thu : 27-12-2012
DUBLIN, Civic Theatre, Tallaght

Link to Website
Fri : 28-12-2012
DROGHEDA, TLT

Link to Website
Sat : 29-12-2012
NAAS, Moat Theatre

Link to Website
Fri : 01-02-2013
KILKENNY, The Set

Link to Website
Sat : 02-02-2013
BALLINA, Arts Centre

Link to Website
Thu : 07-02-2013
BLANCHARDSTOWN, Draiocht

Link to Website
Fri : 08-02-2013
LIMERICK, The Lime Tree

Link to Website
Sat : 09-02-2013
PORTLAOISE, Dunamaise Arts Centre

Link to Website
Fri : 15-02-2013
BELFAST, The Waterfront Hall

Link to Website
Sat : 16-02-2013
NENAGH, Arts Centre

Link to Website
Fri : 22-02-2013
COLERAINE, Riverside Theatre

Link to Website
Sat : 23-02-2013
ENNISKILLEN, The Ardhowen Theatre

Link to Website
Fri : 01-03-2013
SLIGO, The Hawkswell Theatre

Link to Website
Sat : 02-03-2013
ARMAGH, Marketplace Theatre

Link to Website
Sat : 09-03-2013
DUBLIN, Vicar St

Link to Website
Tue : 12-03-2013
DONCASTER, Civic Centre

Link to Website
Wed : 13-03-2013
DERBY, Assembly Rooms

Link to Website
Thu : 14-03-2013
SOUTH SHIELDS, Customs House

Link to Website
Fri : 15-03-2013
SOUTHPORT, Southport Theatre

Link to Website
Sat : 16-03-2013
DUDLEY, Town Hall................*.ST PATRICKS EVE.*

Link to Website
Sun : 17-03-2013
MANCHESTER, Opera House..*.ST PATRICKS NIGHT.*

Link to Website
Mon : 18-03-2013
HAYES, Beck Theatre

Link to Website
Tue : 19-03-2013
BANBURY, Mill Arts Centre

Link to Website
Wed : 20-03-2013
HAVERHILL, Arts Centre

Link to Website
Thu : 21-03-2013
BASILDON, Towngate Theatre

Link to Website
Fri : 22-03-2013
TEWKESBURY, Roses Theatre

Link to Website
Sat : 23-03-2013
STAFFORD, Gatehouse Theatre

Link to Website
Sun : 24-03-2013
HOLYHEAD, Ucheldre Centre
Link to Website
Wed : 10-04-2013
WAKEFIELD, Theatre Royal

Link to Website
Thu : 11-04-2013
EASINGWOLD, Galtres Centre

Link to Website
Fri : 12-04-2013
CHIPPING, Village Hall

Link to Website
Sat : 13-04-2013
BOSTON, Blackfriars Arts Centre

Link to Website
Sun : 14-04-2013
LOWESTOFT, The Marina

Link to Website
Tue : 16-04-2013
MILTON KEYNES, The Stables

Link to Website
Wed : 17-04-2013
POTTERS BAR, Wyllyotts Centre

Link to Website
Thu : 18-04-2013
CHESHAM, The Elgiva

Link to Website
Fri : 19-04-2013
STAMFORD, Corn Exchange

Link to Website
Sat : 20-04-2013
HUNSTANTON, Princess Theatre

Link to Website
Sun : 21-04-2013
CROYDON, Fairfield Halls

Link to Website
Mon : 22-04-2013
MARGATE, Theatre Royal

Link to Website
Tue : 23-04-2013
BROMSGROVE, The Artrix Theatre

Link to Website
Wed : 24-04-2013
NEWARK, Palace Theatre

Link to Website
Thu : 25-04-2013
CONSETT, Empire Theatre

Link to Website
Fri : 26-04-2013
EDINBURGH, Queens Hall

Link to Website
Sat : 27-04-2013
AYR, Gaiety Theatre

Link to Website
Sat : 04-05-2013
COALISLAND, Castlebay

Link to Website
Wed : 08-05-2013
CARDIGAN, Mwldan Theatre

Link to Website
Thu : 09-05-2013
SOLIHULL, Solihull Arts Centre

Link to Website
Fri : 10-05-2013
BASINGSTOKE, Haymarket Arts Centre

Link to Website
Sat : 11-05-2013
BRISTOL, Colston Hall

Link to Website
Sun : 12-05-2013
FALMOUTH, Princess Theatre

Link to Website
Mon : 13-05-2013
EXMOUTH, Exmouth Pavilion

Link to Website
Tue : 14-05-2013
WEYMOUTH, The Pavilion

Link to Website
Wed : 15-05-2013
CHRISTCHURCH, Regent Centre

Link to Website
Thu : 16-05-2013
HAILSHAM, Hailsham Pavilion

Link to Website
Fri : 17-05-2013
SWANSEA, Grand Theatre

Link to Website
Sat : 18-05-2013
ABERGAVENNY, Borough Theatre

Link to Website
Sun : 19-05-2013
PORTSMOUTH, Kings Theatre

Link to Website
Mon : 20-05-2013
FROME, Cheese & Grain6

The Race - A Poem That Inspire Me

The Race by Delbert H. Groberg
Quit, Give up! You're beaten! They shout at me and plead.
There's just too much against you now, this time you can't succeed.
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face,
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
And hope fills my weakened will, as I recall that scene
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.

A children's 
race -- young boys, young girls.How I remember so well.
They all lined up so full of hope; each thought to win that race,
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least tie for second place.
And every parent watched from off the side, cheering for their daughters and their sons,
And every kid hoped to show their mom and dad, that they would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes afire.
To win and be the hero was each and every kid's desire.
And one boy in particular whose dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the lead and thought, my dad will be so proud.

But as they speeded down the field, across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
And trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace,
Mid the laughter of the crowd he fell right upon his face.
So down he fell and with him hope, he couldn't win it now,
Embarrassed, sad, if he could only disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win the race."
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit, that's all,
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself -- to catch up and to win,
His mind went faster than his legs -- and he slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace,"I'm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn't try to race."
But in the laughing crowd, he searched and found his father's face,
That steady look which said again, "Get up and win the race."
So up he jumped to try again, ten yards behind the last.
"If I'm going to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to move real fast."
Exerting everything he had, he regained eight or ten,
But trying so hard to catch the lead he slipped and fell again.

Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye."There's no sense running any more. Three strikes, I'm out. Why should I even try?
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away.
So far behind, so error prone, a loser all the way.
"I've lost, so what's the use?" he thought, "I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad whom soon he'd have to face.
Get up, an echo sounded, get up and take your place.You were not meant for failure here, 
Get up and win the race.
With borrowed will, Get up, it said, You haven't lost at all.
For winning is no more than this: To rise each time you fall.
So up he rose to run once more, and with a new commit,
He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been.
Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen, stumbling: Three time he rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran his best to the end.

They cheered the winning runner as she crossed the line in first place.
Head high and proud, and happy, no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line in final place,
The crowd gave him the greatest cheer for just finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
You would have thought he'd won the race to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
"To me, you won," his father said, "You rose each time you fell." 

And now when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy should help all of us in our race.
For all of life is like that race with ups and down and all,
And all you have to do to win, is rise each time you fall.
"Quit, give up, you're beaten," they will always shout in your face.
But another voice within you will say, "Get up and win the race."


My wonderful hubby Paul printed this out for me when I was feel down a few months ago x
 

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