Short and Sometimes Sweet

"A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity." Robert A. Heinlein I asked people what they thought of jealousy recently. The response was kind of what I expected. In my opinion, jealousy has to be one of the most destructive of the "sins". There are many who try to rationalise the feeling, but to my mind one can't rationalise the irrational.  I come from a humble background, where we had to quite literally fight for our needs and for respect. Where people would deliberately scrap on the street for nothing. I had to fight, although I never went looking for it. If it came my way, I didn't shy away from it. So it went, time went on and I worked hard to get where I am today. I've never set out to make people jealous, always just giving my best to what I do. I was bullied in school. Mostly because of jealousy. The main reason I don't have many female friends...

What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass. No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night. No time to turn at Beauty's glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance. No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began. A poor life this is if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. This poem by William H Davis, called Leisure has always been one of my favourites. It has been on my mind a lot lately for a couple of reasons. I thought I might explain them, since a lot of people have asked me.  As many know, I have grown up children. That may sound like a contradiction in terms, but the fact is they are and always will be your children. Doesn't matter how old or young they are. You love them just as much if they are 2 or 22. Anyhoo, I di...

Well, after another crap week of work stress I decided to unwind in a big way over the weekend. I went to my village for a few scoops. And yes, it was fun. A few bets on the horses and a few glasses of wine, a nice way to unwind. Some stuff happened too, and lots of very kind people were worried about me, and asked what had happened. So this blog is by way of a small explanation, and a rant, and just to get things off my chest. Due to the long long time I have been doing my job, many many families have passed through my playgroup. A lot of local families, and as such many are known to me. Now, due to the sensitive nature of my business I have to sign confidentiality agreements and also work closely with state agencies such as social workers etc. I am bound by strict laws and a legal document entitled 'Duty to Care'. As you can imagine in a small community this can and has put me in some not nice positions. I have been threatened, verbally abused and my daughter bullied becaus...

So......That's been an interesting couple of weeks for me. I've been ill for a long time now. Partly ignored in the hope it would go away, and partly because other stuff was happening. Other stuff as in my other half had a bad accident in Christmas week and I was dealing with that. So eventually when I did go to the doctors I had various infections in my respiratory tract. 4 anti biotics later and still no better. During this time I had various special occasions all of which I tried to celebrate but it's difficult when one can't keep anything down. So my morning routine became one long cycle of getting up, puking, getting dressed, puking, going to work, puking.... well you get the picture. Finally had enough when while vomming my chest burned and pain went down my arm. And my left lung was agony.                                                       My ...

Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy. Aristotle So I haven't been feeling myself....so to speak.... lately. Very down and tired and lacking energy. I was starting to worry that it was my old enemy returning. Depression. Depression is a bitch that hovers in the background and waits until you're feeling vulnerable and swoops when you're at your lowest ebb. I worked hard to be able to recognise the possible onset of a recurrence and was starting to feel the dread. I've been unwell for quite some time now. Infections are never pleasant, multiple infections even less so. And I've a...

There are so many things I could post about right now, so much crap in my head it's unreal. I have chosen to write about a subject I am very passionate about however. A subject I have stayed very quiet about of late. My beloved Arsenal Football Club. I have sat back and read and heard opinions galore from so called fans and non fans alike. I respect other peoples' opinions, however I do feel that some people need to have a word with themselves. The negativity coming from certain people is immeasurable. I've read some stuff that makes my blood boil. For example; If you don't go to matches week in week out you're not a 'real' fan ..........Rubbish If you do go to matches week in week out you're a mug...........................crap You can only be a real fan if you live there...............what? People sitting in armchairs know more about the team than Wenger...........dross Women don't know the offside rule.......................crap Wenger ne...

As many may know, I have a love for rugby and football. I was very much a tom boy when I was younger. Always playing with the boys. I couldn't and still can't abide bitchiness or jealousy and the lads seemed to accept me because I could kick a ball....whether it was round or egg shaped. I even made the girl's volleyball team in school. About the only time the PE teacher had any time for me. So yea, I was always picked first for football and rugby. I played in many different positions in both. Mostly defence as I was small but tough.In football I learned a few dirty tricks to keep the ball too....sly squeezing of a certain place. So I was put into goal just to keep me out of harms way! And so over the years I practiced and became quite good at goalkeeping. I loved it. My interest grew and grew. Then one day I was asked to try out for the Ireland ladies team as they trained in the field across from where I live. I was excited. However, a few days before I was due to try out I...