Dirty Old Town

I've been hating on my poor 'ol hometown quite a bit lately but I think everyone goes through that at some stage when they get sick of where they're living. Luckily for me I live in the countryside so wouldn't venture down town all that often but when I do it saddens me to see the place so empty. Every time I do there's another closed down or boarded up shop or building and the buzz the town used to have is almost gone. I've fond memories of Cobh growing up and in my teens the town was booming but now it's becoming a lot harder to see the positives.
However some photo's taken from a construction site in the town where my Dad is currently working reminded me of how beautiful our town is so have decided to share them with you all and try and focus on the positives of the place I call home.

The Promanade, Cobh

St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh

"Down Town"

Harbour 

Pops, supervising the job :)

xo

Need A Hug?? This Might Help

The Mothership brought home a card she'd come across at work the other day because of the poem on it that she liked and thought I'd like it too...it was so nice that I just had to share with you guys:

Just A Little Hug

A hug can say "I'll miss you,

or, "I'll be thinking of you",

It can say "You're someone special",

or best of all, "I love you".

It can soothe a hurt or calm a fear

or cheer us up when we're blue - 

It almost seems a miracle all the things a hug can do.

When the sun is refusing 

to shine on your day

and you're finding it hard

just to cope,

When you're seeing more rain clouds

than stars in the sky

and you just feel like giving up hope,

That's the time when someone 

comes along with a smile

and a warm hug 

that says "It's okay - 

Tomorrow is coming

so don't give up now -

brighter moments 

are soon on their way"

Sending lots of hugs your way 

xo

It's Goal Time

Right now the birthday is over (a whole 27 years old...3 years off 30..but we won't worry about that just yet!!), my New Year resolutions and goals really kicks in!

Here's what I'm aiming for in 2013:

1. Be more creative! I've got a couples of things up my sleeve that I'd like to get started on in 2013, exciting ventures should they go my way..I'll be sure to keep you all posted with my progress.
2. Resume my slightly healthier, active way of life I established in 2012...the leisure centre membership is still active!
3. Get a new car..because I'm sooo old and responsible these days its time I invested in a decent car, not that theres been anything wrong with my cars to date but I need something a bit more economical and with slightly more room and one that's a bit newer and actually has a valid NCT...
4. Move out of home, I've been saying this for a couple of years but this year it is inevitable. I just hope and pray I find somewhere in the countryside to move to, I'm just not too sure how well I'd settle living in the town, I am a country bumpkin for life!
5. And to my last but by no means least goal...this year is full of changes so didn't want to set myself too many goals because of this one important one...to be the best momma I can be! If I can do half as good as job as the mothership did with us then I think I'll be doing ok :)

While my list is small this year, I feel the ones that are there are of big importance..this really is the year where I grow up for real and I just want to do that in the best way possible :)

xoxo

What A Difference a Year Makes :)

Wow where to start with 2012 eh?! It's been exactly what I wanted it to be. I completed most of my goal list from my blog this time last year, except for the leaving the country part, but there was so much going on in the homeland this year and the credit card, let's face it, I do't think I'll ever be able to cut that bad boy up!
However I am delighted to say that I stuck to the healthy eating /  getting active one, I joined up to the gym which was one of the best things I've ever done...it did wonders for self esteem as well as my waistline. I finally opened a credit union account and the saving commenced. Lastly, I got the recognition at work that I felt I deserved, I work hard...most days!! I did venture of my island for a more varied social scene and so glad I did. Galway Races is most definitely a high light for me, it was so much fun with the girls and what an awesome city! I finally managed to buy my own laptop, and Macy the Macbook has become my new best friend. As well as purchase a proper camera, Canon 1100D and managed to take a intro photography class to ensure I learned how to use it properly.

Besides the above, 2012 has been a huge year for me in terms of self improvement, inner happiness and accepting myself. I'm a true believer that you have to happy within yourself before you can be happy with anyone else and after some soul searching and bit of changing I was finally able to find that peace inside myself and be happy with who I am. I did realise though that this will only happen with a a lot of hard work and a commitment and being able to move past the negativity thrown into your path. So through a bit of restored faith and lot of positivity I feel that 26 was a kind of coming of age for me.

The first 7 or 8 months of the year were spent really just having "me" time, it had been such a long time since I had done that. I got a new tattoo, died my hair a completely different colour, changed up my style a bit, to be more of what represented me and established new and old friendships. However my "me" time was not to last for long before I met James, someone I had known for a while and to be honest, falling for him took me by such surprise, I just didn't see it coming but its a case of looking for something that may have been in front of you the whole time.

<3

I don't think I've ever been with someone who I click with so much, while we are totally different in some ways, in others its like we mirror each other. we've got an exciting 2013 ahead of us with our own little bubs on the way in June...everything happens for a reason :)

Of course there were some down sides to the year, our house being broken into and sentimental items being taken was probably the worst thing to happen this year but besides that, there was so few and were completely outweighed by the good.

I'm going to leave my goal list until my birthday in a few days time and post it then because that's generally when I properly start my New Year and get back into the daily routine.

So I hope all you lovelies have a super New Year and that it brings you even closer towards all of your dreams, and just remember that when times get a little tough or you feel a little lost, just have some faith, in whatever it is you believe in.

xoxo

'Tis The Season

I hope you are all enjoying this festive season with your loved ones and had a wonderful and peaceful Christmas day :)
We had a lovely day here in our household...family, dinner, Christmas songs playing and of course the presents...definitely the best one, yet!
(I apologise for the photo overload in this post!)

A funny Alpaca in Ballyseedy

Christmas flowers in the market

Tracking Santa's whereabouts on Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Table All Set

Lovely Gifts 

My mother knows me too well :)

All part of my new crafting plan!

The traditional Christmas clothes and pjs

xo

My Most Favourite Place In The World

I think I may have just had what can only be described as my first hormonal meltdown...as in a proper sob in the bath like!!
Due to circumstances changing ie. life moving on at a much faster pace than I have ever liked, I shall be leaving home soon, well within the next 2 months anyway if all goes to plan. Its safe to say that I am somewhat traumatised by this and its probably going to be one of the hardest things I've ever had to do so far (and that includes being harder than mending a broken heart or a fractured spine after a car crash!).
I blame the parents for this one though. They've made living at home one of the most enjoyable, memorable, sometimes unbearable, cushiest, cosiest places in the world for me to be in...ever! No matter where I've gone or for how long I've been gone, home is and always will be my most favourite place on earth. I've spent the best part of 20 years in this family home of ours, I've done all my growing up here, met my best friend from down the road because I've lived here, I've experienced an awesome life in the countryside because of where my parents chose to make a home for us..and its been the best home ever. Its my safe haven, particularly my room. Oh if those 4 walls could talk, they'd fill you in on all the teenage angst, tears, smiles and laughter as well as the adult versions of all of that! Its the one place in the world thats mine and mine only, I feel comforted and safe in there, and know that whenever Im in there, everything is going to be ok. (That may also have something to do with the Mothership being not too far behind me with hugs, sympathy, advice and cups of tea for whenever any of it was needed!) And as much as we all may have had our down's in our home, like any family, the up's will always, always outweigh them.
Sometimes I think it would be much easier to move out if maybe I had gone sooner, (my sister moved out at 17 and has never come back really!) or I didn't get on with the parents so well or if I actually wanted to move out! I've always had this Peter Pan type desire, I never wanted to grow up, I remember saying this since was a young kid!
However the time has come and at almost 27 years old, this should be a natural progression and it is. This time its different though, I wont be leaving to move for a job and live in some grotty staff accommodation 6 days of the week or to take off on my travels, I'll be leaving properly. To move to a new house where I can make it my own home to raise my own family in (the combination of the 2 things happening at around the same time is slightly over whelming but hey, I was never one to do things by half!!). And I know its all going to be fine, Im moving a few miles away, probably no more than 4 miles (I'll still be an emotional wreck...even if it was next door!) and Im sure I'll be home so often, it'll be like I never left, well for the parents anyway!
As this exciting and important new chapter in my life begins, my only hope is that I can provide as happy a home for my offspring as I was lucky enough to get from my folks and to teach them all of the valuable lessons in life that I was taught that set me out into the world on the right foot. :-)

Snow Covered Home

My Comfort Haven

Cosy Nights In Front Of The Tv

The Centre Of The House

The People Responsible For The Awesome Place Called My Home xx

XOXO

Every Child Counts

A very important date is coming up here in the Emerald Isle. A once in a life time chance to change the way our country views and helps children. A chance to give them a voice and get rid of the "children should be seen and not heard" attitude, something our constitution has allowed to happen. A chance to protect them and give them the rights that they deserve. A chance for all children to be respected, protected and heard.

November 10th is the day and I sincerely hope that everyone will give the Yes vote for the above to be made real a chance for a more positive future for the children of Ireland.
If you're looking for more information on the referendum then take a look at www.yesforchildren.ie this website has all the information you need and you can also sign up in support, keep up to date and to donate. xo