About ten days ago my husband gave me some money to Treat Myself.
We are not rich, we are hardworking and do our best to save as best we can. It was very kind of him. He acknowledged how hard l am working as a stay at home mum, and also that as a mom on a career break l dont have the money l once had to treat myself to something if l want it.
of course, l did what my own mum was great at doing too.
I bought groceries, new curtains for one of the bedrooms, badly needed, and l bought some gifts that were due: new baby and birthday gifts.
my husband thanked me for buying all these necessary things. Then he gave me a pep talk on learning to splash out, treat myself and not worry about what functional or practical things l could do with the money. He gave me more money and told me to try again...something for me. just for me.
So today, l took my mother in law to our favourite Dunnes Stores. We floated around the Carolyn donnelly section. which l love. then we hit the Paul Costello and homeware. I knew l was on unsteady ground here so l drifted off for a peek at clothes.
I bought myself a lovely grey jacket. It took my eye immediately. funnily enough once l made up my mind to treat myself it all came back to me fairly quickly and l grabbed a lovely black handbag, two necklaces, a pair of earrings and some very cute vintage style hair clips. i moved quickly to counter before l changed my mind and stocked up on non perishable groceries....
I was paying and the girl at the check out smiled at me and said my purchases were lovely. i explained about the mission to actually treat myself. So she said, well, l cant put these in just any old dunnes paper bag can l . She produced one of the "foncy" Carolynn Donnelly bags and put my jacket in there and another for the rest of my purchases. She winked at me and said l hope you enjoy them.
As l walked out of the store smiling, my mother in law said "For God sake, dont return them". Cut the tags off right away". Then she added, her usual mantra, "look after yourself always, nobody else will do it for you".
Friday, February 28, 2014
Name your price
I saw a headline on the cover of a newspaper today which said that Claudia Schiffer revealed she had previously been offered €1,000,000 by a very rich gentleman for an evening with her. Just like in the movie Indecent Proposal. Claudia declined.
I then read that Kim Kardashian had accepted half a million dollars from an American Billionaire for a dinner date and to accompany him to a function/evening event. It is reported that she accepted.
It is not uncommon for pop stars, females in particular, to be invited by wealthy men/royalty to come to their country and perform for a private function/party etc.
I am always amazed to read that women accept these offers.
I dont care how much money they are paid.
Why is it that these strong talented women tell themselves it is ok to go to Uganda or The Yemen or somewhere similar to perform at the behest of a rich man. Come and perform for me but ignore your dignity, your integrity and most of all ignore the plight of women in our our country,or human rights violations in our nation. Just come and sing for my sons 16th birthday party and in return l will pay for your expeneses and give you a million bucks.. you already have many many millions but hey, what the heck
I then read that Kim Kardashian had accepted half a million dollars from an American Billionaire for a dinner date and to accompany him to a function/evening event. It is reported that she accepted.
It is not uncommon for pop stars, females in particular, to be invited by wealthy men/royalty to come to their country and perform for a private function/party etc.
I am always amazed to read that women accept these offers.
I dont care how much money they are paid.
Why is it that these strong talented women tell themselves it is ok to go to Uganda or The Yemen or somewhere similar to perform at the behest of a rich man. Come and perform for me but ignore your dignity, your integrity and most of all ignore the plight of women in our our country,or human rights violations in our nation. Just come and sing for my sons 16th birthday party and in return l will pay for your expeneses and give you a million bucks.. you already have many many millions but hey, what the heck
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
"Chicken Soup for the soul".....
As many of my friends know, l have come through what has been a very difficult year to 18 months. I had a lot of health problems, none of which was life threatening, but they were ongoing and constant and meant l was exhausted for a very long time and sick from all the medication l was taking. The loss of energy and vitality was, l found, a very depressing experience for me. I was reduced to sitting at home resting and collecting kids from school. going home again. That and doctors appointments, physiotherapy appointments and chiropractic appointments. I must also say that the constant worry about financial instability was a huge strain on both myself and my husband.
However, when you have less money, you budget more and in fact you can stretch your income with a bit of practice.
I have also said in earlier blog entries about the restorative power social media, in particular Twitter had on my overall wellbeing. The kindness of strangers, the friendships l have made, the penpals l now exchange cards and small gifts with, it has been an immensely comforting experience.
I have worked very hard on my health, my wellbeing. I have taken tonics, vitamins, energy boosting foods, mood lifting teas, teas to help with stress, to help with sleep, meditation, relaxation apps. you name it, l have done it.
So here l am. It has been 16 months since l last worked in my chosen profession. I had a lengthy spell of sick leave and am now thrilled to be 7 months into a three year career break.
In spite of my head cold this week l am enjoying much improved health, my back problem and constant pain are far better.
My mood has lifted in tandem with my improved health.
People often ask me what would l like to do with the rest of my life..big question. afterall l am on a career break so at the end of three years my profession beckons again.
however l see lots of other options opening up that l would not have seen before. I will never make lots of money, but as long as l have enough for the basics that's enough.
This week my kids are on midterm break from school.
We are having a lovely time. not perfect, but real and lovely.
Today l took them for a haircut, then took them to an activity centre, then made lunch, took them to store to run errands, home, made them their dinner, had some of their pals over to play. All simple, no rush, no fuss, just go with the flow.
Then l baked brown bread, made a lovely chicken casserole for dinner and tonight l baked cup cakes.
Nothing there that l havent done before I know
It touched me to the core of my being. I felt such a sense of peace and calm and happiness.
I think after years of being a full time working mum, this new phase of me being at home full time has made our life much simpler.
I finished the day kissing my kids goodnight As they went to sleep i was back in the kitchen icing cup cakes singing along to Nora Jones on the Ipod
However, when you have less money, you budget more and in fact you can stretch your income with a bit of practice.
I have also said in earlier blog entries about the restorative power social media, in particular Twitter had on my overall wellbeing. The kindness of strangers, the friendships l have made, the penpals l now exchange cards and small gifts with, it has been an immensely comforting experience.
I have worked very hard on my health, my wellbeing. I have taken tonics, vitamins, energy boosting foods, mood lifting teas, teas to help with stress, to help with sleep, meditation, relaxation apps. you name it, l have done it.
So here l am. It has been 16 months since l last worked in my chosen profession. I had a lengthy spell of sick leave and am now thrilled to be 7 months into a three year career break.
In spite of my head cold this week l am enjoying much improved health, my back problem and constant pain are far better.
My mood has lifted in tandem with my improved health.
People often ask me what would l like to do with the rest of my life..big question. afterall l am on a career break so at the end of three years my profession beckons again.
however l see lots of other options opening up that l would not have seen before. I will never make lots of money, but as long as l have enough for the basics that's enough.
This week my kids are on midterm break from school.
We are having a lovely time. not perfect, but real and lovely.
Today l took them for a haircut, then took them to an activity centre, then made lunch, took them to store to run errands, home, made them their dinner, had some of their pals over to play. All simple, no rush, no fuss, just go with the flow.
Then l baked brown bread, made a lovely chicken casserole for dinner and tonight l baked cup cakes.
Nothing there that l havent done before I know
It touched me to the core of my being. I felt such a sense of peace and calm and happiness.
I think after years of being a full time working mum, this new phase of me being at home full time has made our life much simpler.
I finished the day kissing my kids goodnight As they went to sleep i was back in the kitchen icing cup cakes singing along to Nora Jones on the Ipod
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Love
My 9th wedding anniversary today. 15 years together in total. Globe trotting, hiking, backpacking, degrees, diplomas, promotions, meals, movies, music, plays, passports, drivers licence, bills, furniture shopping, planning, saving, smiling, laughing.
Two kids second house many cars, amazing holidays. Tragedy, loss, grief, elation, teamwork, hard times, financial pressure, romance, carefree weekends, babies teething, high temperatures, late night feeds, sleep deprivation, first steps, first words, first days at school, play dates, pagents, swimming lessons, date nights, holding hands, snuggling in bed our family of four,
Two kids second house many cars, amazing holidays. Tragedy, loss, grief, elation, teamwork, hard times, financial pressure, romance, carefree weekends, babies teething, high temperatures, late night feeds, sleep deprivation, first steps, first words, first days at school, play dates, pagents, swimming lessons, date nights, holding hands, snuggling in bed our family of four,
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
making my own bread
However, l love granary loves, seeded breads, brown breads, oat breads etc.
Over the past three months l have worked on weaning the kids off white processed sliced bread and bread rolls which are mass produced and baked in convenience stores. God, they love them. I have tried to explain that they are not very healthy for them.
I started trying them with the shop purchased brown bread, soda bread, wheat loaves etc that l purchase in the shop.
I'm happy to say that over time they have embraced this and now have brown bread for breakfast, they will also have bread in their lunchbox.
I progressed to making my own brown breads with the kids and they enjoy this. My daughter started spreading honey on hers and l must say I cheered silently that day.
A few weeks ago one of my Lovely Twitter pals sent me a lovely bread recipe that is big on flavour, easy to make and is inexpensive in terms of ingredients.
Its safe to say l have made it every second day since. The kids help me make it sometimes. They have commented on how much they like the smell of bread backing in the house in the afternoon when doing their homework.
I am enjoying making it, and eating it :)
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