Pickles and Patience

I know I've asked this before, but do any families sail serenely through their combined lives, or do all families lurch from pickle to disaster, with 'a series of unfortunate events' en route?

Seriously, I would really like to know.

The latest in this establishment, in case you are at all interested, is Eldest grinding to a halt...just two months before her Degree Finals. Her Dissertation isn't written, also a 90 minute play, and two short essays, and there's a small matter of two 'set' designs (theater mock-ups, basically) to make.

All to be done and dusted by 10th April, followed by viva voce exams and some other final 'stuff'.

Her arthritis and joint pain is very bad, she can't do steps, or sitting or standing for any length of time, or type for very long, or keep food, and a host of other ailments, or even walk properly with a stick...in fact she's in far worse physical case than my own father, who is no sprung chuck.


HOO BOY!

So she came home at the weekend (by persuasion since I had eight 16 yr olds staying- another story!) and she, Middlest and I sorted out a schedule for the next month so that Eldest has company/minder at all times.

I tell you, God does work in mysterious ways, because Middlest is only semi employed at present and is able to help out. Between her and I someone can always be available for Youngest in the evenings, and still get to Dublin for Eldest. If Middlest's plans had gone as planned (brilliant English language, I know!!) she would not be available to help and I would be beside myself.
(The Hub's work hours are difficult at the best of times, and he begins his Course at the Church of Ireland College in Dublin this weekend- different place to Eldest...of course!-and another story!!)

So tomorrow evening I am heading to Dublin on the BladeRunner (as in slow-country-stop-at-every-blade-of-grass-between-here-and-Dublin bus!!) It takes 4 1/2 hours, would you believe? (2 1/2 to drive oneself!) since due to cutbacks they have abolished the Express Bus...you don't realise what an enormous country Ireland really is until you try to cross it using public transport!!

But I was just thinking this morning, as I added to my list of things to do by tomorrow, that, considering I do nothing, its pretty complicated putting life on 'hold' for a month. Obviously, to do nothing as well as I do takes a lot of organisation!

This is Heckety Beck coming to you from County Leitrim for the latest Blogger News update!

Challenges Report #1.

Regarding Dottie Angel's Challenge to be creative instead of buying new, I decided I should repair my driving gloves, which had become very breezy. I rummaged in my mending supplies and found some darning wool...

...and my mushroom, and set to. Now I would just like to say that I KNOW green wool doesn't exactly blend with black but heck! if I've gone to the trouble of darning gloves I want people to notice!

Have you any notion of what a fiddly job it is? (And by the way when were men's socks last referred to as 'hose', Shakespeare's day??)

Regarding the Creative Every Day Challenge January's suggested theme is 'Body'. I thought I would do the five senses, something to please each during the week gone.

Sight: hoar frost on grass and buttercup leaves.

Sound: the song 'Love Changes Everything' by Michael Ball has some very inspiring words...

....Love, Love changes everything:

How you live and

How you die....

....Love will turn your world around....

...Off into the world we go,

Planning futures,

Shaping years.

Love,

Bursts in, and suddenly

All our wisdom

Disappears.....

Love makes fools of everyone:

All the rules

We make are broken...

Love will never,

Never let you

Be the same.

For me it means the love for my God, my children, extended family, friends, not just romantic love. Love is a gift and it shapes much of who we grow to be I think.



Touch: knitting with this bobbly wool! It was meant to be a cowl, but since it turned out too close Nifty Thrifty here turned it into a beanie hat for Dilly!

Taste: curry and chapatis for supper on Friday eaten with fingers, the African way, very tactile and requiring a certain amount of dexterity....and mopping up...

Smell: scented candles! Love 'em!
A week's worth of creativity from 'Nifty Thrifty' Heckety.

Due to the weather Dilly had to spend the night in Enniskillen with friends since the bus company couldn't guarantee to deliver it's passengers all the way to Sligo. She's due on the midday bus today. B is having noodles for breakfast- NOODLES! I ask you! It's snowed again all morning...