tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69561588681601598042024-03-15T18:09:15.660-07:00Life's a Journey - Enjoy!Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-14397708602937226182024-02-13T10:07:00.000-08:002024-02-13T10:26:53.975-08:00Loving...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoZGKOGxHGEMkZU9mTlK3ZczR6i_0_Eial9B3Af2nGQG7kmE76RhrGUmo3XceSsTeFd6z5nwzZBTIuoToyAC_rlFMBXAMxHx-9k7kSvrrXLlkAES9agAFRvqI1IIcXjKeRMzR7eNFxNlyWAT0AiddTTElKiPwtxrwgMgjpA0j5cSlw5XUiU4IEhrNFVM/s200/choose%20love.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoZGKOGxHGEMkZU9mTlK3ZczR6i_0_Eial9B3Af2nGQG7kmE76RhrGUmo3XceSsTeFd6z5nwzZBTIuoToyAC_rlFMBXAMxHx-9k7kSvrrXLlkAES9agAFRvqI1IIcXjKeRMzR7eNFxNlyWAT0AiddTTElKiPwtxrwgMgjpA0j5cSlw5XUiU4IEhrNFVM/w640-h358/choose%20love.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Last month, I was quoting Caroline Myss and this month it is Deepak Chopra and no doubt next month it will be another inspirational author. This quote strikes a chord as it is what I truly believe. We can always choose love.<p></p><p>It can be loving people, loving pets, or even loving what you do. But it is particularly special when you just experience loving life<br /></p><p>This last weekend I got to choose lots of ways to show my love. One of my favourites is by cooking and even the grandchildren quote me, by saying that my special ingredient is love, especially when I make them their mac 'n cheese.</p><p>So what else was on the "menu" at the weekend as Murphy and Rosie were spending their weekend with me at Seamill.<br /></p><p>Saturday tea time included a visit to my swimming pool at The Seamill Hydro, where the kids had a blast. So much fun was had but of course no photos... you will just have to take my word for it. They loved it. </p><p>They loved the stars on the ceiling, the bubbles in the tub and the whole experience was a 10/10. They even had their Dad with them enjoying "Nonna's" pool. You can't get better than that. </p><p>Love is sharing a swimming pool and then a spag bol with garlic bread tea!<br /></p><p>However there is more and there are photies this time...</p><p>Sunday was the day my sister-in-law, Chrissie and myself eventually managed to take the children on an adventure to Dumfries House, Cumnock. </p><p>Much love was shared with Chrissie from Murphy, Rosie and myself. Thank you so much Auntie Tiss. Delighted we were able to successfully organise our visit on the third or fourth rescheduling. You went above and beyond Chrissie, especially when you see what the children wanted to do...</p><p></p><p>First of all, zip wire:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPxMlCfJQf6c50QdkI-4HiyxiJTpAdr4TQCcH2Iq2QiZXUGiaSu-yTZjNpTRe0JS2v-B8AXYSB4zvH7Z7_Du2FBMQuu-XQS1dQjKAvu4mPBG0mMOTsvMjm5tAIUt1apQjAzshEIeiAEOAz3UThye3wmtlnIcUM9W6ye0QLHENOdHdwBIF3q4WUUWTyWo/s640/zip%20wire%20rosie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPxMlCfJQf6c50QdkI-4HiyxiJTpAdr4TQCcH2Iq2QiZXUGiaSu-yTZjNpTRe0JS2v-B8AXYSB4zvH7Z7_Du2FBMQuu-XQS1dQjKAvu4mPBG0mMOTsvMjm5tAIUt1apQjAzshEIeiAEOAz3UThye3wmtlnIcUM9W6ye0QLHENOdHdwBIF3q4WUUWTyWo/s320/zip%20wire%20rosie.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQPaWYFNMY3h_TRszu0Ei_p4Sr5vExoI-sGS2RYUUyKZSQ8Tn2-gAaBnZAMHKwK-iw9_uLZ1XqnsifRd5lcadMy-a6gIC8GJzLnTRzCpRSAsi2vkO55Ouh8mztWKNY1BmZxsg_cPJQ6XVYF_6A3JLblwwtBuG3X4IBU4xr2xtjmeLXtPSvgHHTO1HZKU/s640/zip%20wire%20murphy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP3Af2gRdJZz-UHR4NHf2taBM7Jgv1blvShQwPQ43O1oQ8c43Nl20Vi6xWhfohs6HFEZ3RSqrKxkt6yzTMiwff-dgS2IuELdhvKTOsr-gdI6eH5c81MRGVXInegRsuPs7uqXTEzM7NVs18bzE1L7nKfni75vXoiNosIlyPA526IImuEc0G6dVC3r5hcM/s640/zip%20wire%20murphy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP3Af2gRdJZz-UHR4NHf2taBM7Jgv1blvShQwPQ43O1oQ8c43Nl20Vi6xWhfohs6HFEZ3RSqrKxkt6yzTMiwff-dgS2IuELdhvKTOsr-gdI6eH5c81MRGVXInegRsuPs7uqXTEzM7NVs18bzE1L7nKfni75vXoiNosIlyPA526IImuEc0G6dVC3r5hcM/s320/zip%20wire%20murphy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Then it was the high wire walk...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY6tGm1zTFDIJtGnCGBDRT5qJG7i4NJXhIyOpKWFlQvnJcZ6wJCmJnVxPtLUx0k32Y1FhI1x5cT5PrPHmxjTJ30CX9028dtsivmUNdjs802ggbP6zpgzMGGAGJqztGo_8tSFu8aEJXgSpETFGAAfbgr7laWicpxE5U4ZHseyTeljXEtz1Po-xiri6Ens/s640/murphy%20up%20high.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY6tGm1zTFDIJtGnCGBDRT5qJG7i4NJXhIyOpKWFlQvnJcZ6wJCmJnVxPtLUx0k32Y1FhI1x5cT5PrPHmxjTJ30CX9028dtsivmUNdjs802ggbP6zpgzMGGAGJqztGo_8tSFu8aEJXgSpETFGAAfbgr7laWicpxE5U4ZHseyTeljXEtz1Po-xiri6Ens/s320/murphy%20up%20high.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rJIb1S31MMUQFoNm5KAyqCI1UMTgUXyYH-J80yfZr5UYwxgHGQhXbZIkSJTlPnrvyjPtHfFsw5kQKD2ou7WAPAmprqSvo0H5yV9EPQAcQewEJPdoPtI02E0hgBdVEFDWxdOEcahw1u9HXd6SYGxsM18p9Pxh1i4_GA4-5NIrJVwOdU0JwAfVR4bjKxQ/s640/Rosie%20uphigh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rJIb1S31MMUQFoNm5KAyqCI1UMTgUXyYH-J80yfZr5UYwxgHGQhXbZIkSJTlPnrvyjPtHfFsw5kQKD2ou7WAPAmprqSvo0H5yV9EPQAcQewEJPdoPtI02E0hgBdVEFDWxdOEcahw1u9HXd6SYGxsM18p9Pxh1i4_GA4-5NIrJVwOdU0JwAfVR4bjKxQ/s320/Rosie%20uphigh.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Yep... once again. They loved every minute of flying through the air, see-sawing, running and sliding down big, big chutes and even completed the skywalk. Rosie did it twice!</p><p>When you choose to love what you are doing and who you are with, life can be so much fun.</p><p>Thank you Chrissie, Murphy and Rosie for choosing to enjoy/love/a 10 out of 10 adventure. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PxPi0pyfHmzvl3lwSb3qIj39ZTIAUwBNecmlhznatASWDceysZgJkLhbjCyxc8tXndYa_UEzK2f-HeJr_YncEahR1ehUB8wkW9d-2nJOHiYgwWb9oM5w_4L_zv4aZdW8HVt7b6veXKraWDPLqpNqgaswMpQS79CSDwYqwVZgJBgPobhVeqfXeMacOiw/s1600/Chrissie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PxPi0pyfHmzvl3lwSb3qIj39ZTIAUwBNecmlhznatASWDceysZgJkLhbjCyxc8tXndYa_UEzK2f-HeJr_YncEahR1ehUB8wkW9d-2nJOHiYgwWb9oM5w_4L_zv4aZdW8HVt7b6veXKraWDPLqpNqgaswMpQS79CSDwYqwVZgJBgPobhVeqfXeMacOiw/s320/Chrissie.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />Here's to having lots more adventures together.<br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-50671477667755250572024-01-31T04:15:00.000-08:002024-01-31T04:15:56.257-08:00Sad times<p> Not feeling much like writing just now, as all around me are sad tidings. Life seems to be so difficult for so many, both here and abroad. As well as my own personal saga of loss.</p><p>So forgive me if I choose to use someone else's words.</p><p>Caroline Myss has always been an inspiration to me. Recently her words have echoed in my head.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGLfDlmWjC7_nqBm8-j-ghEQBo5rrdpbOJhQNaoqh_hFDWOufaES3xNFb4Gg12r9rDKB4qqn3yWj7LbimJejU2Jus7_0T4vVA1Q2VGcN9ZS_pUbKINaeSKAGU1V_CRsFoJfspRxqxqKQxe-T7MOH4JxoTRFNOTOAB-4_83f2LcucHMozsoczYnoc4Rqo/s320/gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGLfDlmWjC7_nqBm8-j-ghEQBo5rrdpbOJhQNaoqh_hFDWOufaES3xNFb4Gg12r9rDKB4qqn3yWj7LbimJejU2Jus7_0T4vVA1Q2VGcN9ZS_pUbKINaeSKAGU1V_CRsFoJfspRxqxqKQxe-T7MOH4JxoTRFNOTOAB-4_83f2LcucHMozsoczYnoc4Rqo/w640-h360/gift.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Will continue to write, just not now.</p><p>With love</p><p>Eileen<br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-37898084876590553792023-12-21T12:59:00.000-08:002024-01-31T04:00:24.169-08:00Andy's passing<p> As many of you will know by now, my wonderful husband died at the beginning of this month. </p><p>He had bravely faced his condition every day with a smile, never complaining, always accepting what will be...</p><p>... no blog from me this month. Just this</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-7Qdy9V3oa3FhHHfCn8so3PfFKnKslgGXIrOMMPjEQ4mLf9x6ILbdPBIprwF_4gpbBBojDs7q8A5-sPppZiFwBVwtkG58lRkzR0f0YFmF7q_Grbgwnu2v9uMC4J7OgXXbNqt2R1XSCmDqpnpXCDFsQW79RGpczid-VwWzAhYxmhZeZNcE1VIQgtUYKc/s640/epitaph.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-7Qdy9V3oa3FhHHfCn8so3PfFKnKslgGXIrOMMPjEQ4mLf9x6ILbdPBIprwF_4gpbBBojDs7q8A5-sPppZiFwBVwtkG58lRkzR0f0YFmF7q_Grbgwnu2v9uMC4J7OgXXbNqt2R1XSCmDqpnpXCDFsQW79RGpczid-VwWzAhYxmhZeZNcE1VIQgtUYKc/w300-h400/epitaph.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-84298054735336019652023-11-09T04:02:00.000-08:002023-11-09T04:02:36.228-08:00Peace<p>I wrote this poem many years ago when I was searching for some peace. </p><p>The thought process is still relevant today, perhaps even more so...</p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><div style="border: solid #993366 3.0pt; padding: 0cm 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #993366 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;"><b><i> </i></b></p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;"><b><i>Peace... just a thought</i></b></p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It comes to mind</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It forms from space</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It changes fast, and doesn't last</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">unless... I make it hold a place.</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It flies around</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It forms a void</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It seems alive, and wants to thrive</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">unless... I make it feel annoyed.</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It changes shape</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It forms a word</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It follows feeling, senses reeling </p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">unless... I make it strike a chord</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It brings a face</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It works with love</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It connects the dots, inspiring thoughts</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It's not unless... it's more... like a
dove.</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It settles down</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It claims its' place</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It travels wide, no need to hide</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It spreads its wings... it's Peace, it's
Grace.</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It works like magic</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">It feels my need</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">Don't think it's nought, as in just a
thought</p>
<p style="border: medium; padding: 0cm; text-align: left;">Peace can grow from the smallest
seed. </p>
</div><p>This month, o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">ur Power of Eight group is focusing our 10 minute daily intention on Peace. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Every small seed thought creates a powerful growth process... anyone can do it... and anytime is good. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Om Shanti, Eileen</span></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-74540339115086423032023-10-24T04:26:00.001-07:002023-10-24T06:31:52.586-07:00Joy... and where to find it!<p> Recent times have brought many adventures for the Auld family... and last weekend's visit to Eglinton Country Park's Dinosaur trail was a highlight in the calendar. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFSSPYZ-xWT1ff33AX-1AvPg_rq_nRuQ8WOdlUEF2RFxQs06_0pnqfPEtKmIeBEF8rnFi3mWNJONejgZm6N9-XLCRWYOT8XrNiJ6erTl689MY6U1QhiZSVfsxs1tKqaNme5nBkHBoovy-fXq2zn21kOAGB-Ish2711aspsfynkiHphgfycNKo-zzmAZo/s2048/Eglinton%20Park.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFSSPYZ-xWT1ff33AX-1AvPg_rq_nRuQ8WOdlUEF2RFxQs06_0pnqfPEtKmIeBEF8rnFi3mWNJONejgZm6N9-XLCRWYOT8XrNiJ6erTl689MY6U1QhiZSVfsxs1tKqaNme5nBkHBoovy-fXq2zn21kOAGB-Ish2711aspsfynkiHphgfycNKo-zzmAZo/s320/Eglinton%20Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>We even got Uncle Kenny in on the act as our professional photographer! I am sure you will like the montage below of two little people experiencing Joy.</p><p>Who wouldn't like to be a butterfly ...<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y1ecc-OaO-0eGHiwklqV7NwqqCmN5ghd6RSPkvZVWWEekw0dx5xLWhzSUOdd-h2xw_VqnQEohdeRnhGMYoXbXaYEtlvjDtq1cCIUpDzTS6XXmA6G56vrMsX8dSUJQg3xVZMZG50WVZzeqhkQLkn19ltnS_6N2Cj5MipMjGSFd9F4mJlLwtizvj384so/s640/butterfly%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y1ecc-OaO-0eGHiwklqV7NwqqCmN5ghd6RSPkvZVWWEekw0dx5xLWhzSUOdd-h2xw_VqnQEohdeRnhGMYoXbXaYEtlvjDtq1cCIUpDzTS6XXmA6G56vrMsX8dSUJQg3xVZMZG50WVZzeqhkQLkn19ltnS_6N2Cj5MipMjGSFd9F4mJlLwtizvj384so/s320/butterfly%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbYyn2IIYGjPbmSI9Xk-SaNhBcZHqVsohwViR6mGHR7eX2wF5TuIvuGHoO8rsc3_L9Vne3qiOdmnddKcwtt247gthJTIQmBjtQ967fLPwSLRR9XrcXPTrr2BsIHEGpaSK7vE_v4c-DdWVBOC83YLeAF_BCbN7VxLoLtVgtJzldvqjutSrzlp4E7ChA_k/s640/butterfly%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbYyn2IIYGjPbmSI9Xk-SaNhBcZHqVsohwViR6mGHR7eX2wF5TuIvuGHoO8rsc3_L9Vne3qiOdmnddKcwtt247gthJTIQmBjtQ967fLPwSLRR9XrcXPTrr2BsIHEGpaSK7vE_v4c-DdWVBOC83YLeAF_BCbN7VxLoLtVgtJzldvqjutSrzlp4E7ChA_k/s320/butterfly%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>pet a deer...<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxtvUw9Jxto6ClOZOo6xIf5FvYeJDMsfn-cWyLPwnUiYUA-tKVdYiC26mvoePGMwdi5aQ_A41gKUw_KOdeAJHD3SsosKIV6t5S4MU_x7xVvMCc5xOsXQ-fAlfLR09xIQ1NhotdNh9mj2z9LPTthh-pWZqUZDjfdP6yiNvmVWuhYT2lbGAUftUTWLdF3I/s640/deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxtvUw9Jxto6ClOZOo6xIf5FvYeJDMsfn-cWyLPwnUiYUA-tKVdYiC26mvoePGMwdi5aQ_A41gKUw_KOdeAJHD3SsosKIV6t5S4MU_x7xVvMCc5xOsXQ-fAlfLR09xIQ1NhotdNh9mj2z9LPTthh-pWZqUZDjfdP6yiNvmVWuhYT2lbGAUftUTWLdF3I/s320/deer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO2naJHf2znTQmQKn38_YpfJexL9q61zcPD_GvMvLhwCW4rfY18yqRTg-d3lqNJ6kobAruw_pzGblXHEqdozWFFrtmZtkRzw7raCkk9E3FJ4Z_4xJ6LQ77KE1v97Pdt-XYB6lulozeJCyTs_y8ElD5Gvl3SMWWxSoDyVyfxQMB2hic3VHF44UdlAeFMA/s640/frog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO2naJHf2znTQmQKn38_YpfJexL9q61zcPD_GvMvLhwCW4rfY18yqRTg-d3lqNJ6kobAruw_pzGblXHEqdozWFFrtmZtkRzw7raCkk9E3FJ4Z_4xJ6LQ77KE1v97Pdt-XYB6lulozeJCyTs_y8ElD5Gvl3SMWWxSoDyVyfxQMB2hic3VHF44UdlAeFMA/s320/frog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>or befriend a frog<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWkT0QO37hCr4J68pHhZv7IBlfDMdm9lB9pMFtrUOQDXXotacseHo0-vKA5hg3ylmiYqRvDfafMwNY2JRXvtnYpNH1nxERO1Se6bowDEejZ6H6iNa1f6qxyXea4e9tLVaoLYNYr-PvVW86U5BjXVOpkOb-asOsinKjwdpsoPL1mD8vePkxMioet2mWRQ/s640/more%20frog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWkT0QO37hCr4J68pHhZv7IBlfDMdm9lB9pMFtrUOQDXXotacseHo0-vKA5hg3ylmiYqRvDfafMwNY2JRXvtnYpNH1nxERO1Se6bowDEejZ6H6iNa1f6qxyXea4e9tLVaoLYNYr-PvVW86U5BjXVOpkOb-asOsinKjwdpsoPL1mD8vePkxMioet2mWRQ/s320/more%20frog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0f64KywH0DWNeIy4xpP0Ou1CGjjIUKsks6UX0TN6l-1Mr67zmKawCBXjnAg6AgqNr1rTkEWnuTqq1oJXvafR6Hasmww1WC6HLzuw7Soio8C4qgFiOfM5-Fhsa2wkAlkgn9b7c7G_aKnb01ymXaoLJMye38uAlD7wB9nhJLyIV3O5lXVIn0YkGj_Anng/s640/bat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0f64KywH0DWNeIy4xpP0Ou1CGjjIUKsks6UX0TN6l-1Mr67zmKawCBXjnAg6AgqNr1rTkEWnuTqq1oJXvafR6Hasmww1WC6HLzuw7Soio8C4qgFiOfM5-Fhsa2wkAlkgn9b7c7G_aKnb01ymXaoLJMye38uAlD7wB9nhJLyIV3O5lXVIn0YkGj_Anng/s320/bat.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">try being a bat<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>meet Mr Fox</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOzvG7Dc9rx6sTyuwMAq_l_Ow5u-BTTyZKD5MyXZbl1cqGQqlb1PJQQByPZJAIaEnRAqIfOnlVJxf_vHyLgRhMjXRTLbjnUDIOkSEZNaRZ7VcRn20_1NU9XPaurs7TSfvVMcTgBFo0TO51aVNcE96iWnYO7FzXeQyAHA4O07arwx5pSEEzZHQPjFS7ro/s640/fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOzvG7Dc9rx6sTyuwMAq_l_Ow5u-BTTyZKD5MyXZbl1cqGQqlb1PJQQByPZJAIaEnRAqIfOnlVJxf_vHyLgRhMjXRTLbjnUDIOkSEZNaRZ7VcRn20_1NU9XPaurs7TSfvVMcTgBFo0TO51aVNcE96iWnYO7FzXeQyAHA4O07arwx5pSEEzZHQPjFS7ro/s320/fox.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /> <p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>and then find a mammoth ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PVZDMRjQXldXYyI6xyuzNx_j9UrwJWdkHe00YIZL0pQ7-FsXUK9q1p61CkWuNQysdMJ3EGF0oEAgFKK_S_Tp0JnV9zWfqPWp2K31nXl1uoqUEwf4vNE42fUq1ObUJCV6AE0Uj6BQz9dDSL0Lm54MIA0kIvIdqB2o2vzYWLM8QqAmsfRo7aKzpzYtaJ4/s640/mammoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PVZDMRjQXldXYyI6xyuzNx_j9UrwJWdkHe00YIZL0pQ7-FsXUK9q1p61CkWuNQysdMJ3EGF0oEAgFKK_S_Tp0JnV9zWfqPWp2K31nXl1uoqUEwf4vNE42fUq1ObUJCV6AE0Uj6BQz9dDSL0Lm54MIA0kIvIdqB2o2vzYWLM8QqAmsfRo7aKzpzYtaJ4/s320/mammoth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then there are the many opportunities to hug. First an owl...<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlKWSp2FTl0xsvllG7E2_ZupJXVmm3YcNfRXLiYrmU0AYfGe3cvmtBdtiUCm43AsUMihZSHNo5pufD69HEjaYoEwXgS3bCkCjkl3vXn-s416q5dcilWt2LQ6nr0FINjX53esp__LsXrmSEz-PuQtuVpKzhSkvf4Fqb70EN53DSMkU9HEcT-vt54UHfoM/s640/hug%20an%20owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlKWSp2FTl0xsvllG7E2_ZupJXVmm3YcNfRXLiYrmU0AYfGe3cvmtBdtiUCm43AsUMihZSHNo5pufD69HEjaYoEwXgS3bCkCjkl3vXn-s416q5dcilWt2LQ6nr0FINjX53esp__LsXrmSEz-PuQtuVpKzhSkvf4Fqb70EN53DSMkU9HEcT-vt54UHfoM/s320/hug%20an%20owl.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Then a Rosie... and badger!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqVh4uV6UD4iuDXfCz-_hF2CY5ZTk0Y5C0lRPCEdXF-UuGs3O7ONEWhkyCQ2h8U6wJAABFLyPUT9dHwowiEZYC_CxVUnmwoLa3DXZs3qrL8DRtrCew1cQLtQ67J6BrY0snytOjMCgILjXEcqO2l-SHKehTtr0B5iLhX28p7gLiIPW9cx8tz5NkvD2bLk/s640/Rosie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqVh4uV6UD4iuDXfCz-_hF2CY5ZTk0Y5C0lRPCEdXF-UuGs3O7ONEWhkyCQ2h8U6wJAABFLyPUT9dHwowiEZYC_CxVUnmwoLa3DXZs3qrL8DRtrCew1cQLtQ67J6BrY0snytOjMCgILjXEcqO2l-SHKehTtr0B5iLhX28p7gLiIPW9cx8tz5NkvD2bLk/s320/Rosie.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>a group hug... works for me.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qf-A4n7YpMbnnlHifDNxn8YajDJjkWDh__CPN05CdHXmOWuuxIEXElvkMyVPArFuXaazbYD0yt8S0QL8157x9DwxFpPCArH2bfcsSgW8dP7qtu01E8Y-S-ULQ-cv_8hNXhnY2-FnoNriekBPOwUbj0o8H4gcWreYjcAW_2Nwg3hK2hmr8IH89ld4v34/s2048/group%20hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qf-A4n7YpMbnnlHifDNxn8YajDJjkWDh__CPN05CdHXmOWuuxIEXElvkMyVPArFuXaazbYD0yt8S0QL8157x9DwxFpPCArH2bfcsSgW8dP7qtu01E8Y-S-ULQ-cv_8hNXhnY2-FnoNriekBPOwUbj0o8H4gcWreYjcAW_2Nwg3hK2hmr8IH89ld4v34/s320/group%20hug.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>and then the lesson learned from the grand-kids... find some joy, Nonna... hug a tree!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2ccOOT3VBJaGjXgPhbfmHLf_aoBA8i7fi75V9lamVq2o9L6wd52R-pIHHLIuhG6u7C0CcLAcXLK5gyWrMK-3xhCT3csaXpCFtBgD9YhhsWGSbEiWOcxma3e1QyKoWv_xKtOmxBkhXloB16iOwpxL6db6hapQ3X1_15kkcuyf7m6_xRQcL4sfWTOT7z0/s640/hug%20a%20tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2ccOOT3VBJaGjXgPhbfmHLf_aoBA8i7fi75V9lamVq2o9L6wd52R-pIHHLIuhG6u7C0CcLAcXLK5gyWrMK-3xhCT3csaXpCFtBgD9YhhsWGSbEiWOcxma3e1QyKoWv_xKtOmxBkhXloB16iOwpxL6db6hapQ3X1_15kkcuyf7m6_xRQcL4sfWTOT7z0/s320/hug%20a%20tree.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We can thoroughly recommend Eglinton Country Park, Kilwinning. </p><p>After the dinosaur trail, more joy can be found in a wonderful cup of hot chocolate...<br /></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-23337379180300211962023-09-17T12:22:00.002-07:002023-09-26T04:56:28.050-07:00Official Residence<p> It's official! We have moved to Seamill to a ground floor flat to help with Andy's and my mobility...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFftxYYPJ8wDO143ULtW20GUiUReVZ2s4i4GF9bVFYpOBkdmrCtF3JPM0bGy7e8OKPtSlq3WlYu8M0AE0DjgARHd0ybwJCvKLyt9IG_71u-lPQ0vP41_ckuMxqPpMfNpudahY4kCG19KBuDtohSDHdm25fYyPeHE44rGQEBA-LIZyILwHTeuQz8tdu8c/s640/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFftxYYPJ8wDO143ULtW20GUiUReVZ2s4i4GF9bVFYpOBkdmrCtF3JPM0bGy7e8OKPtSlq3WlYu8M0AE0DjgARHd0ybwJCvKLyt9IG_71u-lPQ0vP41_ckuMxqPpMfNpudahY4kCG19KBuDtohSDHdm25fYyPeHE44rGQEBA-LIZyILwHTeuQz8tdu8c/s320/house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The past month has brought lots to deal with, not just packing up and moving but 4 weeks ago, I bit into a crispy pitta and managed to break a tooth that was supporting my dental bridge work! <p></p><p>Ouch! Visited my dentist who told me that there was no break and that it would settle and to go away and eat only soft foods for three days...<br /></p><p> After many sleepless nights, oodles of pain and having more than enough of a constant liquid diet, I sought a second opinion. Then found that I have a fractured tooth and no wonder I was in pain! Unfortunately the bridge couldn't be saved<br /></p><p>Fast forward to the 14th September, early birthday present of dental plate and an hour of dental intervention - you catch my drift! Good news, I can now chew food but still not able to bite, as yet. Soon I trust.</p><p>Andy and I are enjoying our new environment. However, Andy had to assemble his chair before he got a seat!</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1iRWyDVJGbhEpqAcZc4x_dx0xIVGATo9i0l5BZi3jnHyJhvPS9nl6w0cefT6avkhPBeQ8rAtSWAshRE3Cxl504XU1hQATizuTBUzW0kcONqnU6t4OghdJ-rothDUu2vZ-V94eHFs5K0nZHFXZKP7SsRZ61I0znkxrwdFCnBD70W_1mXm0iqPe-I3k7k/s2048/Andy%20relaxing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1iRWyDVJGbhEpqAcZc4x_dx0xIVGATo9i0l5BZi3jnHyJhvPS9nl6w0cefT6avkhPBeQ8rAtSWAshRE3Cxl504XU1hQATizuTBUzW0kcONqnU6t4OghdJ-rothDUu2vZ-V94eHFs5K0nZHFXZKP7SsRZ61I0znkxrwdFCnBD70W_1mXm0iqPe-I3k7k/s320/Andy%20relaxing.jpg" width="180" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>and I went walking along to the beach ...</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnd7I0PVbBB60qI4ZB2gwy9v0bWwVu41efRZh0hHZtXlaqeM3xaa6lvfNAqApgA3zmP_adlCeqCxw6ToBkuFOkzJ1ius3yBZ-hksuhx9LxM8TBNc5PNkIbbAOBwHJ8GekLwV0SBg62ishGHMFywClF0Z4sw42RdVyOr7FcJsrbP-3ZhkVSOf41TNHuqo/s640/Windswept%20Eileen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnd7I0PVbBB60qI4ZB2gwy9v0bWwVu41efRZh0hHZtXlaqeM3xaa6lvfNAqApgA3zmP_adlCeqCxw6ToBkuFOkzJ1ius3yBZ-hksuhx9LxM8TBNc5PNkIbbAOBwHJ8GekLwV0SBg62ishGHMFywClF0Z4sw42RdVyOr7FcJsrbP-3ZhkVSOf41TNHuqo/s320/Windswept%20Eileen.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>One of the many blessings about our move, apart from the no stairs of course, is that I can walk to my swimming pool. A 5 minute walk no less... as well as a fabulous beach to explore<br /><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTX5d2HI8ADd9lNABtsJ9BIDKnR8x6jRgJins9a_e7DbVoci-gZ_9er2oBlD2KhSu_d2fWj_KG8Hr-9g6WJofy4_LiQ08M4UPhq7_h_cO7b_ElDQNMP9juf0igY6vyUg657202ViG6s4NdNiK6l_0C1pIX8nl1IerwnT3kBfOrCiZVA-zp97C88vRjEHA/s640/Way%20in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTX5d2HI8ADd9lNABtsJ9BIDKnR8x6jRgJins9a_e7DbVoci-gZ_9er2oBlD2KhSu_d2fWj_KG8Hr-9g6WJofy4_LiQ08M4UPhq7_h_cO7b_ElDQNMP9juf0igY6vyUg657202ViG6s4NdNiK6l_0C1pIX8nl1IerwnT3kBfOrCiZVA-zp97C88vRjEHA/s320/Way%20in.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way In<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy63sklEN7rLroaStDgTe5Zh_n6Q9nV0w3OP8pHQiCtb119ZLUm5Z8P5PE9wDHcUPScqGuMzxMLGfg9vOoknJcW8zRGOtTGBEmNIqQEWBcP3VDea7i3DMY50u2zQFpQG-bo5W9KyDe4Kl1DhDNAinsuQb50QrTZt_S2ZN0wwIKXMEj6zpeObSvcmuXnnE/s640/open%20beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy63sklEN7rLroaStDgTe5Zh_n6Q9nV0w3OP8pHQiCtb119ZLUm5Z8P5PE9wDHcUPScqGuMzxMLGfg9vOoknJcW8zRGOtTGBEmNIqQEWBcP3VDea7i3DMY50u2zQFpQG-bo5W9KyDe4Kl1DhDNAinsuQb50QrTZt_S2ZN0wwIKXMEj6zpeObSvcmuXnnE/w320-h240/open%20beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide vista<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Now I haven't finished relating all the "moving" parts, as Gordon would say.</p><p>Gordon has been running a successful and enjoyable putting venture at Mackerston over the summer months. His next venture opened this weekend, Yes, for those in the know, he opened on my birthday, 16th September. So breaking news -<br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZgzg82pfg_FIBp7RrAcA6iZZZNVMs8Xqt4cFPyugWZ6V8jkD8yjUepsKmb4j4u3IFoC-orEFYK_Z4PIiDSHNw0LH_SP6bOjcd-Vu_5quCeKSE0EE66OGO2ew3L6zgkLpIXOkK2xsSgqa7ccBjKP9-m2yegllimv0PhhX-5wvayjY3jg9wlbKj9-GoK4/s1024/Cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZgzg82pfg_FIBp7RrAcA6iZZZNVMs8Xqt4cFPyugWZ6V8jkD8yjUepsKmb4j4u3IFoC-orEFYK_Z4PIiDSHNw0LH_SP6bOjcd-Vu_5quCeKSE0EE66OGO2ew3L6zgkLpIXOkK2xsSgqa7ccBjKP9-m2yegllimv0PhhX-5wvayjY3jg9wlbKj9-GoK4/s320/Cafe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening Day.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Gordon has taken on the running of the cafe at Kelburn Estate, Largs and if his first day was anything to go by, it too will be a successful and enjoyable business venture.</p><p>What a whirlwind of changes this month for the Auld family. Time to catch our breath and get ready for what October holds for us. Until then, I'll leave you with this magic find, when I went on my first beach walk.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSNYxV3Lw-9Kv6ROXLEEdwo7cSKRBrutW0pGNroaiwwZru_-K79Fez2m5ux9OqqHrATUhjdmubq3zLmDl8eiWzqiihT3z7O0j9eNfuFxWruXD1ziYwffeG0ZAcAHi8kEjxfd8JNITnamG4ErO7UrsyNZj2f6mnkzapmJz8nZErt47k-aM6uJNYwHRUhI/s640/life%20story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSNYxV3Lw-9Kv6ROXLEEdwo7cSKRBrutW0pGNroaiwwZru_-K79Fez2m5ux9OqqHrATUhjdmubq3zLmDl8eiWzqiihT3z7O0j9eNfuFxWruXD1ziYwffeG0ZAcAHi8kEjxfd8JNITnamG4ErO7UrsyNZj2f6mnkzapmJz8nZErt47k-aM6uJNYwHRUhI/s320/life%20story.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Perfect advice for all of us, as we each walk our paths in life...<br /><p><br /></p><br />Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-58208865588840282522023-08-16T11:46:00.000-07:002023-08-16T11:46:28.986-07:00Always worth celebrating...It was Murphy's birthday this month. He has reached the grand old age of 7! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovzK0zqAqLPYrqfRet8okpKMMGKz-IfKwFju0QtNYjUeePkiI5cYC5PBhY4wwFggqNEA2pN2LAIQQ1_u7L4daTi_Cdh-HpKfTHxQ0ZC8CzybMNUOlAUlLOSgZCVXhc6bXMRm8w5kb1A-Lpl5mnY7XWKkHYLb90-Vk140C7bCOFE-YHjBTgMhDb4LvHoE/s1024/barcelona.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovzK0zqAqLPYrqfRet8okpKMMGKz-IfKwFju0QtNYjUeePkiI5cYC5PBhY4wwFggqNEA2pN2LAIQQ1_u7L4daTi_Cdh-HpKfTHxQ0ZC8CzybMNUOlAUlLOSgZCVXhc6bXMRm8w5kb1A-Lpl5mnY7XWKkHYLb90-Vk140C7bCOFE-YHjBTgMhDb4LvHoE/s320/barcelona.jpg" /></a></div><p> New football strip, Barcelona as he is pointing out to us! <br /></p><p>Muphy loves football and is quite partial to cake. As his birthday was on Sunday the 13th August, he got to play his beloved game and share a football cake with his team mates,</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj0fJZ4B2lejtEcg3grDBUTiLGSHxdZTrVGHmU5C9CuKgudW1sntUWrFJuXrA2sN1RrNEvpv2AnEsRrMBPOGkHre8AI2JdUV9DULFfT4dob1I0Wu2BKrVOjv0uKOlzGP8TfKPERy2uiGmtj1UCOxeNjIT-PLfAfaiRQ_Xbymcd9d8N8aerJkrNQf2pvU/s1024/football%20and%20cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj0fJZ4B2lejtEcg3grDBUTiLGSHxdZTrVGHmU5C9CuKgudW1sntUWrFJuXrA2sN1RrNEvpv2AnEsRrMBPOGkHre8AI2JdUV9DULFfT4dob1I0Wu2BKrVOjv0uKOlzGP8TfKPERy2uiGmtj1UCOxeNjIT-PLfAfaiRQ_Xbymcd9d8N8aerJkrNQf2pvU/s320/football%20and%20cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yummy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br />Now he also wanted to play Jenga, go putting and even enjoy a moment with a pinata!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxUbtfFuF-PeYjy_hFHTUyssbDw7IKYT7uDbBhuJQqEoXoPSVZJ3kVh--18yzsrsFcd5sxLSgCO7o2hDqFVHtBYxdw06Jug61zYSZH8pDJHnDedKq8s2svIovJnl_ghdzpe84Kihsj0mfOquAf974ZrQybWSAqz7vzTSHUZmwC07BtRaWauDPL0onS9o/s2048/pinata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxUbtfFuF-PeYjy_hFHTUyssbDw7IKYT7uDbBhuJQqEoXoPSVZJ3kVh--18yzsrsFcd5sxLSgCO7o2hDqFVHtBYxdw06Jug61zYSZH8pDJHnDedKq8s2svIovJnl_ghdzpe84Kihsj0mfOquAf974ZrQybWSAqz7vzTSHUZmwC07BtRaWauDPL0onS9o/s320/pinata.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The pinata is a fun cardboard donkey traditionally filled with sweets and "bashed" until it opens up and shares its abundance... remember these are Murphy's birthday choices!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE7vdoJea7a8rRVM0lAPmCf75R3aGDd9ErzsufOVrys6n0wGi1AfxUGwCXHbX5KWR87bA3tMMFkWBpsgMwDKxtYlhZJs1b0a9T6ALbpuC3skZQdWpJszVcKNQAS1Q0AQp-8nluSmAdE9NXp56K9zJ7E9_7Lp8J1eOUXYL2ebz_Iksm_lEWO3GpFmwCmw/s1024/master%20Eileen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE7vdoJea7a8rRVM0lAPmCf75R3aGDd9ErzsufOVrys6n0wGi1AfxUGwCXHbX5KWR87bA3tMMFkWBpsgMwDKxtYlhZJs1b0a9T6ALbpuC3skZQdWpJszVcKNQAS1Q0AQp-8nluSmAdE9NXp56K9zJ7E9_7Lp8J1eOUXYL2ebz_Iksm_lEWO3GpFmwCmw/w200-h150/master%20Eileen.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Rosie and Murphy weren't managing to convince the donkey to open up so Nonna had a go...<p></p><p></p><p>Resulting in a decapitated donkey, much hilarity and a ton of chocolates. One very happy Rosie as she found the Lindor ones while Murphy is still searching for his favourites.</p><p>Message to all you pinatas out there... don't mess with The Nonna!<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemk5Bc01-is7tHz0rZ2lLPRqKXpxL1dxSRC44TjEsEpmQisjianWZ-8EdSTYWtQTXRqm8eayRHQ62uSlW0kzQohbyJMTeR_qnhyz7SE1Zk14cNErN_JuIaGacJ1x97kVLOrTxckk1HAwQDLDnTh_0k8xPrx7zJ7ZCf7OLpsqkWNHAPdEXUkbT6vvCmjo/s1024/Rosie%20and%20chocs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemk5Bc01-is7tHz0rZ2lLPRqKXpxL1dxSRC44TjEsEpmQisjianWZ-8EdSTYWtQTXRqm8eayRHQ62uSlW0kzQohbyJMTeR_qnhyz7SE1Zk14cNErN_JuIaGacJ1x97kVLOrTxckk1HAwQDLDnTh_0k8xPrx7zJ7ZCf7OLpsqkWNHAPdEXUkbT6vvCmjo/s320/Rosie%20and%20chocs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Time for a more skillful game of Jenga before a quiet time for Murphy to commune with his football cards and heroes. Then more family fun to come on the putting green and a pizza night out on the town. </p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuGWoYiVZohb-TQlVkahb0pgqGSGaS-cVewwnQ-knzUxGIhGnsL63fdj6cF3hx7jX6mSGryETm4nXG4yVTEX-t2zBST_1fvhq0I8T-GTu-gOAugGpPC65nRk75UH1e2Doln87Pzvtl7mlPScgCa6jZa9f49UQfn7pqhb5KZ0jsa8X7mtVSNI_Z18BVto/s2048/Jenga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuGWoYiVZohb-TQlVkahb0pgqGSGaS-cVewwnQ-knzUxGIhGnsL63fdj6cF3hx7jX6mSGryETm4nXG4yVTEX-t2zBST_1fvhq0I8T-GTu-gOAugGpPC65nRk75UH1e2Doln87Pzvtl7mlPScgCa6jZa9f49UQfn7pqhb5KZ0jsa8X7mtVSNI_Z18BVto/s320/Jenga.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPL-rNuQq3SwX7x5gPJGXoZ6ggLz5k3gl8BxmmD7VSxctusg-hR2p8vaiDfFiFVZCtF1r58rQQxjSX1fl3V4qLTbWopuu-IsTPKUnKjFcmoBRi35LwTwnsrBBY5bMKHvgxNtMEeu-LTRYa1q1_zUIWij0aSfpJitGNlJ4vW6HVmBnfUAN5QBgIRTz4N4/s640/IMG_3581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPL-rNuQq3SwX7x5gPJGXoZ6ggLz5k3gl8BxmmD7VSxctusg-hR2p8vaiDfFiFVZCtF1r58rQQxjSX1fl3V4qLTbWopuu-IsTPKUnKjFcmoBRi35LwTwnsrBBY5bMKHvgxNtMEeu-LTRYa1q1_zUIWij0aSfpJitGNlJ4vW6HVmBnfUAN5QBgIRTz4N4/s320/IMG_3581.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p>oh...what it's like to be 7! I think I know what to do next month when it's my birthday... </p><p>yep that's right, eat cake! No matter what age you are it is always worth celebrating.</p><p>p.s. Murphy also had a birthday party with pals at a "trampolining" venue in Greenock! Goodness knows what he will be looking for when he is 8...<br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-15561924205165739502023-07-14T06:33:00.003-07:002023-07-14T08:42:16.992-07:00Holidays<p>Another trip down memory lane as Andy and I set off last week for a few days at Portpatrick...</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMSQTiKNV2H0ydb13Bu9sIk9EXK1nRTpILbe7GhD-Zcec5S5pjwONwcTyxP_ze9yWhUObYzZAoix4pu6JKUysFe9QDVIQi0Rd85gIQADaXQnmEomT6H2wKgpefZNN8FWGXsedbLkrmziU3szRtmXXZz7dwp3IcucLVMyeyCIws4ppMnoRSAFtLNwHqmg/s640/view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMSQTiKNV2H0ydb13Bu9sIk9EXK1nRTpILbe7GhD-Zcec5S5pjwONwcTyxP_ze9yWhUObYzZAoix4pu6JKUysFe9QDVIQi0Rd85gIQADaXQnmEomT6H2wKgpefZNN8FWGXsedbLkrmziU3szRtmXXZz7dwp3IcucLVMyeyCIws4ppMnoRSAFtLNwHqmg/w225-h400/view.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View ftom the hotel bedroom.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjjAFkRyu0wafcJjEtPq0iCQOYEdMm6HU2EhGK78qU5gCdxEmOgxpWD2DIAbIyJeTi6QOLF0bW0feuBy1BjErfkgSbp5SLj3u9aoplLMIKwgzXfxQ7J7pUYohngoR4ZFsokORchfazpwsisV42eg5vcjjw6Lbj8VyOb2_NXdAldylXjKDwx4jR7BBGn8/s640/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjjAFkRyu0wafcJjEtPq0iCQOYEdMm6HU2EhGK78qU5gCdxEmOgxpWD2DIAbIyJeTi6QOLF0bW0feuBy1BjErfkgSbp5SLj3u9aoplLMIKwgzXfxQ7J7pUYohngoR4ZFsokORchfazpwsisV42eg5vcjjw6Lbj8VyOb2_NXdAldylXjKDwx4jR7BBGn8/w200-h150/friends.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>... with our pals Catherine and Billy.<p></p><p></p><p>Many, many moons ago Andy and I spent many happy family holidays in Portpatrick, where the boys and I honed our golf skills on the Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Course!!! </p><p>Well Andy didn't need much honing...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo9M57nWv_EUjFCjPwFZrzEIp9Z-KsT0Sn6lv8enlEo9rhhPE1tmwLOIr605GyKpDtji3Kyti3JdNC5iqTguywlXng2olW2N6o4y4_LOAHVbymCLAOeXGWz5fAOerVuEI3krDEac_g3_2Bzrabvk1s9RJ_X5iaZjUDrZlJP2R8KN5yPJKy_1_V-c8s2M/s640/pp%20putting%20green.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo9M57nWv_EUjFCjPwFZrzEIp9Z-KsT0Sn6lv8enlEo9rhhPE1tmwLOIr605GyKpDtji3Kyti3JdNC5iqTguywlXng2olW2N6o4y4_LOAHVbymCLAOeXGWz5fAOerVuEI3krDEac_g3_2Bzrabvk1s9RJ_X5iaZjUDrZlJP2R8KN5yPJKy_1_V-c8s2M/s320/pp%20putting%20green.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p> <br /></p><p> and importantly we loved to putt on the Portpatrick Putting Green...</p><p>... and shared that love with our pals. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Proof in the selection of photos...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxKrKEZoar1_rUSV6C6N1gZHe3dJSuEw4bifjt3y8SyLXRNO7WNu2hSafgvczitATPy6-YcbSVfuupB7fnsppTH8D4P_xEhkUh-9iSyzv3QwomkINahqGawK109ohjDYec6TGE1vA75GBFixqVrt_-mBu8jgBxu716VwlTyTLtGpuHB5iOaiS8KTbUCc/s640/Andy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxKrKEZoar1_rUSV6C6N1gZHe3dJSuEw4bifjt3y8SyLXRNO7WNu2hSafgvczitATPy6-YcbSVfuupB7fnsppTH8D4P_xEhkUh-9iSyzv3QwomkINahqGawK109ohjDYec6TGE1vA75GBFixqVrt_-mBu8jgBxu716VwlTyTLtGpuHB5iOaiS8KTbUCc/w150-h200/Andy.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choose one, any one Andy<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh--xI6i4BZPYwU_iMNhAZdxbzU81CZCLhWhLA7S7psAFlBP1GZzSWKPVUSFw04gJA6DSWfFVYUZUmpELmdo57t5m-xNUQ-ooGtLH0mH7rgD7Qd0tpSUrv90fGnpvFKC3qFxevylLQcgpFCFgP_Tw0Gsj8vQlF7MdqBBrEm6a_8YWWtQKgqimygDFnWO28/s640/Eileen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh--xI6i4BZPYwU_iMNhAZdxbzU81CZCLhWhLA7S7psAFlBP1GZzSWKPVUSFw04gJA6DSWfFVYUZUmpELmdo57t5m-xNUQ-ooGtLH0mH7rgD7Qd0tpSUrv90fGnpvFKC3qFxevylLQcgpFCFgP_Tw0Gsj8vQlF7MdqBBrEm6a_8YWWtQKgqimygDFnWO28/w181-h320/Eileen.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I am ready" says Eileen<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hzoGRSZ85dCi1akBbf8z1W8H6FEL9r9gAw8eGp4-2dZgaJcRJXuBbReGpM6c9Poe0n2eoYMpBjdp2wvwxM2juH5AogtoxWi1_SECT6S_sV_WuAKUhMseEvXO3TPFaWM5_WdCagjsoypwG2inWD7EFt65SXMAlPmD18RBldTQi91m8gPJMij4WMn6GfI/s640/Catherine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hzoGRSZ85dCi1akBbf8z1W8H6FEL9r9gAw8eGp4-2dZgaJcRJXuBbReGpM6c9Poe0n2eoYMpBjdp2wvwxM2juH5AogtoxWi1_SECT6S_sV_WuAKUhMseEvXO3TPFaWM5_WdCagjsoypwG2inWD7EFt65SXMAlPmD18RBldTQi91m8gPJMij4WMn6GfI/s320/Catherine.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine eyeing up a 2 putt!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RGWb0UmYUnSeg424mm6DW6_au2ulMq2emylE0tJla6qgxdr6by91GFmXl570VuJ0Rf1eyWfMMne975U02IiF9o2NwqisuCzTnaoHoVd4EGIjS9SWBIYxF7ZyTSTvCF7KC1NowWxON52qR4Zm4kEAOVIRyxTCo-JcxKE_0SPFPbsURmlWK0kZvorNEOg/s640/billy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RGWb0UmYUnSeg424mm6DW6_au2ulMq2emylE0tJla6qgxdr6by91GFmXl570VuJ0Rf1eyWfMMne975U02IiF9o2NwqisuCzTnaoHoVd4EGIjS9SWBIYxF7ZyTSTvCF7KC1NowWxON52qR4Zm4kEAOVIRyxTCo-JcxKE_0SPFPbsURmlWK0kZvorNEOg/w150-h200/billy.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billy showing us how it is done!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> We subsequently learned to love putting anywhere, so much so that our son, Gordon has taken on the running of the Mackerston Putting Green in Largs. Please go and support him and learn to love putting as much as we do!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag_DxJrfuGgW81sZemb9NY-WlJFXDwNiOmZ2IIzE6rLUR_yJsvw6qJomKy1CDKGxcdSDCcrBb21i-SnTHbKTjh5q93U0R8625IBKklQXv7jIjvUn1opTsVPmuaQmvq8WatEIZKeyta5VyeV2BZb-Dk6YSJgQlvflJx2O2IB5Uaf3uEIc6zRRK2v5oHyY/s640/Caddyshack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag_DxJrfuGgW81sZemb9NY-WlJFXDwNiOmZ2IIzE6rLUR_yJsvw6qJomKy1CDKGxcdSDCcrBb21i-SnTHbKTjh5q93U0R8625IBKklQXv7jIjvUn1opTsVPmuaQmvq8WatEIZKeyta5VyeV2BZb-Dk6YSJgQlvflJx2O2IB5Uaf3uEIc6zRRK2v5oHyY/s320/Caddyshack.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-76101243575166653732023-06-14T04:52:00.001-07:002023-06-14T04:52:27.619-07:00Cuddling up<p> Having a cuddle makes such a difference... don't you agree?</p><p>Whether it is because you are watching an enjoyable film, reading a book or feeling unwell .... snuggling is what we like to do.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqv7mDpuCdAkLkxMFDFFUdGiDR_Gh2jWKl8BTYAqRj4CHl5UW8ow183faFsvSVSfDGMtWe75-8Nq4-k8v-6UP12NPFA7ra6-UBydHa0M97wSeUjNo3lDHwxlsamFzvJUQwxPA5KZKr85gD8eZVo3I2mjtjX_wJ7Bq93r03d4lWrrXMZ6p6mBuD7cgu/s2048/snuggling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqv7mDpuCdAkLkxMFDFFUdGiDR_Gh2jWKl8BTYAqRj4CHl5UW8ow183faFsvSVSfDGMtWe75-8Nq4-k8v-6UP12NPFA7ra6-UBydHa0M97wSeUjNo3lDHwxlsamFzvJUQwxPA5KZKr85gD8eZVo3I2mjtjX_wJ7Bq93r03d4lWrrXMZ6p6mBuD7cgu/s320/snuggling.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p>I wonder what Rosie and Grandpa are watching...</p><p>Could be Peter Rabbit, a firm favourite with them both or Bluey, which is Rosie's go to programme and Grandpa's least fave...</p><p>... whatever they are watching, snuggling up is a big favourite.</p><p></p><p>However there is only room for two on the chair so when it is time for a bedtime story, then getting together on the settee is the best place for storytime.</p><p>Who is reading the book doesn't really matter, it is all about the snuggling. </p><p>Looks like Rosie has chosen her favourite book to share...</p><p>and Grandpa is now word perfect!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp0d2ywqEqnQof8KFhom8-asQVKRikmyrPaHR_xB4sRpM9ZvRCvArHHrl-PFK32HJ-OYgl2HS-p4B8wRLFFAIgnU9FxYmIsZbgTNOAIxFbuBlXHerpT6v1e96JCJKbQBArMG9ollLw_a0FflwmVVhDvlDD_GnLoBQlIL7rsk4EIPZV6kR26VF2WeN/s2048/reading%20with%20grandpa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp0d2ywqEqnQof8KFhom8-asQVKRikmyrPaHR_xB4sRpM9ZvRCvArHHrl-PFK32HJ-OYgl2HS-p4B8wRLFFAIgnU9FxYmIsZbgTNOAIxFbuBlXHerpT6v1e96JCJKbQBArMG9ollLw_a0FflwmVVhDvlDD_GnLoBQlIL7rsk4EIPZV6kR26VF2WeN/w225-h400/reading%20with%20grandpa.jpg" width="225" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXq-69z-mGSK5PJVwjYX-OJ_rp7f3QToP8JcXE5CqdFtcvPbl114uavnZd-sM5w6EigZQm3EkHqkpOyGuD2GZjIKRTPQ2R9lI7BJi1Ft3JmHe2EROznlhtEC73pZLNZeCNJgOgagnMbh5QTEVFJStk55aOfaz4zeyPvGsuekwOx16IIqfk4HDIySs/s1024/proper%20poorly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXq-69z-mGSK5PJVwjYX-OJ_rp7f3QToP8JcXE5CqdFtcvPbl114uavnZd-sM5w6EigZQm3EkHqkpOyGuD2GZjIKRTPQ2R9lI7BJi1Ft3JmHe2EROznlhtEC73pZLNZeCNJgOgagnMbh5QTEVFJStk55aOfaz4zeyPvGsuekwOx16IIqfk4HDIySs/s320/proper%20poorly.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><p>Then there are the times when you are feeling unwell and a cuddle from Nonna is just what you need.</p><p>Murphy came home from school, having been sick and feeling very sorry for himself. </p><p>It is difficult for a child to cope with feeling unwell but Murphy was a trooper.</p><p>He cuddled up with me and then slept himself well, with a couple of TV programmes to dull the pain!</p><p>Murphy gives the best cuddles, even when "under the weather", he knows that a hug can make anything better.<br /></p><p> </p><p>Focusing on precious moments with the grandchildren is like a ray of sunshine to keep us going when this recent heat wave is long gone. But while it is here, we are taking advantage of the sunny blue skies.</p><p>We visited Kenneth and Natalie in Glasgow on Saturday and fitted in a festival in Partick and a sushi lunch on Byres Road.... we sure know how to enjoy ourselves... and Rosie enjoyed getting her face painted.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvB3C7lSQikZ6JTVWFb1JqSYBtdibHq9mbDavotHR6PA9TGmG4qmH9cKyxfpyDUwCoIUYn5Zhj7-gJ43a1EcH-Y8EBYOXkXCTz2P3XPovz6qz-OuBle7kD1HH_kjN23P6Zcud5N6LlRW8YSb2wfMi2ys5unz_x16C-3IuM-WWUX0dVeUlE0ntmeZg_/s1024/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvB3C7lSQikZ6JTVWFb1JqSYBtdibHq9mbDavotHR6PA9TGmG4qmH9cKyxfpyDUwCoIUYn5Zhj7-gJ43a1EcH-Y8EBYOXkXCTz2P3XPovz6qz-OuBle7kD1HH_kjN23P6Zcud5N6LlRW8YSb2wfMi2ys5unz_x16C-3IuM-WWUX0dVeUlE0ntmeZg_/s320/butterfly.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>con un abbraccio,</p><p>Eileen <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-17998913602005335192023-05-26T09:06:00.000-07:002023-05-26T09:06:58.970-07:00Unexpected visitors<p>Andy's cousin Dougie dropped by for a visit. Dougie and his wife, Fiona were moored at Largs Marina and had been sailing around the West Coast enjoying the recent wonderful weather... </p><p>They had moored at Millport before visiting us and had experienced their own unexpected visitor.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU2KiShouGfmbE5h1kIQ9-ocPWUzQK9yWcon0sTyHo83cQ3lYTP1IrRrbYt0YiRoE6_79k_YWfnk_xK3O-n8depvd4MZglUm3zKjEl4W4g6iN7QpkpFv9Z764uJzobemxQO0hQ2dNeFJtuglaAvRSOwl4IOdaWNYUKq0pLfrEc1Sem1vCucwAIXzB/s1600/seal%20away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU2KiShouGfmbE5h1kIQ9-ocPWUzQK9yWcon0sTyHo83cQ3lYTP1IrRrbYt0YiRoE6_79k_YWfnk_xK3O-n8depvd4MZglUm3zKjEl4W4g6iN7QpkpFv9Z764uJzobemxQO0hQ2dNeFJtuglaAvRSOwl4IOdaWNYUKq0pLfrEc1Sem1vCucwAIXzB/s320/seal%20away.jpg" width="240" /></a> </p><p> Imagine their surprise when they woke up to find a seal sunbathing in their dinghy.</p><p>It seemed quite at home and had obviously decided that Dougie and Fiona's dinghy was a more comfortable place to kip in than the usual rock formation he/she looks for!</p><p>Vistors are always welcome at our house but when the visit is a delightful unexpected one, it always adds to the pleasure of the day.</p><p>Whether that is a Dougie/Fiona combo or a seal commandeering a room with a view!<br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Talking about unexpected pleasures, Andy and I were invited recently to Pirate Island by Rosie. This is a smaill extension of the beach on the walk to the Pencil in Largs that the grandchildren have named "Pirate Island".</p><p>Here is Andy and Rosie posing for the camera and then a celluloid record of Rosie taking charge of the adventure... as she does. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVizfNavDQeEfyRznM-QpxpcwfDMf_hwQx2-Cl7faA24iqWG3wVvanu-N_Eh0kzQkPqeQLw5Fzw5w4n3kGs5Z2n5KHRAKx-V5LzRDIfFsc5U6oloGY8pe_4PO2v3MPVlSB9HKv0l2h1Q/s1600/Pirate+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVizfNavDQeEfyRznM-QpxpcwfDMf_hwQx2-Cl7faA24iqWG3wVvanu-N_Eh0kzQkPqeQLw5Fzw5w4n3kGs5Z2n5KHRAKx-V5LzRDIfFsc5U6oloGY8pe_4PO2v3MPVlSB9HKv0l2h1Q/s320/Pirate+Island.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbS2KBBz4SHPT2iWsX8BLQMt12mw9dwh3vnZ3p3q12qO9trPK2lSYxz3DxACNWHqH2Vu3gO4QPKPZUjfhcRWY55eIkVx0X3ESXuV_cAkoEJxzzdj4vGTfgkdOvQ-nySGHax6AO1OLQNGptY6y3ZPkRgzn1BdX_OAbeptdkqf25FzNEP_z9SQrNYKOs/s1600/off%20we%20go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbS2KBBz4SHPT2iWsX8BLQMt12mw9dwh3vnZ3p3q12qO9trPK2lSYxz3DxACNWHqH2Vu3gO4QPKPZUjfhcRWY55eIkVx0X3ESXuV_cAkoEJxzzdj4vGTfgkdOvQ-nySGHax6AO1OLQNGptY6y3ZPkRgzn1BdX_OAbeptdkqf25FzNEP_z9SQrNYKOs/s320/off%20we%20go.jpg" width="180" /></a></div> <br /><br />That was a treat for us both and then I got the treat of supporting Murphy's football match at Bowencraig. Yes... it was an unexpected pleasure for me watching 6 year olds running after the ball. It took me back many, many years to when I watched Kenneth and Gordon in their Colts strips.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7pM_rfw0QIM3QJcmbg1clLf5WNkCB5bmK__B6i8lnlDLrrKXELRb7xully2VZuaevunPsfWQQRC1U30kdoxBpTsdDWLZRHi0gNRqDG6DGWUiANk_ojez_at0A8eFf3blht0sCupUNAfIa_CFVFYj6MTJ3sbnjeqyMxp_5y9Z7vaovZJqDsG1v9JP/s640/Largs%20colts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7pM_rfw0QIM3QJcmbg1clLf5WNkCB5bmK__B6i8lnlDLrrKXELRb7xully2VZuaevunPsfWQQRC1U30kdoxBpTsdDWLZRHi0gNRqDG6DGWUiANk_ojez_at0A8eFf3blht0sCupUNAfIa_CFVFYj6MTJ3sbnjeqyMxp_5y9Z7vaovZJqDsG1v9JP/s320/Largs%20colts.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murphy's football team photo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Playing football, fighting pirates is tiring, never mind the dancing, gymnastics, swimming and riding bikes... but not for us ancient ones, who are now the spectators, enjoying watching the children at play.</p><p>Or chillin' out after another busy day...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfGYN0CJWR8FEOE6lcPgjCOwckWh3rleRMpRC_Owfv7jsU5C7EhGvQa2hbuR6mOuzhEyWTNAuVLutTd5VpJmhwMOwbW3rUUXGLt5byUIZrpb0qzvgN6EksJ02ChgAhel9x22N1Z2ITeA7YzziIqMpRP7ewrA0ufGQMGQMbLZPeroIjDJHKl2ZzEKQ/s2048/chillin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfGYN0CJWR8FEOE6lcPgjCOwckWh3rleRMpRC_Owfv7jsU5C7EhGvQa2hbuR6mOuzhEyWTNAuVLutTd5VpJmhwMOwbW3rUUXGLt5byUIZrpb0qzvgN6EksJ02ChgAhel9x22N1Z2ITeA7YzziIqMpRP7ewrA0ufGQMGQMbLZPeroIjDJHKl2ZzEKQ/s320/chillin.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p>... and just in case you doubted our grandchildren's pirate adventures, here is another unexpected visitor to our shores!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ovvJJ6tQ2H6QgY18q5ZrH1BrYK233EPHRgRURX6NmuGWjZwBMq9FCy9ITfaAyJwXBxHLzyAi9ZqDEqOhMf-N0m4oPYkQ694m-1bgaoGv0H6onXC5-9PcCae8GUnbyuI01MfNYAkknNPL6SUMyeAtpFDQ-uz2hziOTeyFlNI7ASt6ZFTSapBGaXwE/s2000/Pirate%20ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ovvJJ6tQ2H6QgY18q5ZrH1BrYK233EPHRgRURX6NmuGWjZwBMq9FCy9ITfaAyJwXBxHLzyAi9ZqDEqOhMf-N0m4oPYkQ694m-1bgaoGv0H6onXC5-9PcCae8GUnbyuI01MfNYAkknNPL6SUMyeAtpFDQ-uz2hziOTeyFlNI7ASt6ZFTSapBGaXwE/s320/Pirate%20ship.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-48858552608759323112023-04-22T09:44:00.002-07:002023-04-23T01:40:19.316-07:00a trip down memory lane... and taking the ferry!<p> We went abroad folks! Took a family holiday and took the ferry to Arran...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqrkGwD28S6-tZ9OpFhWQvFo6PDOwjtiI-Jlnj9AEEFbKYhSCOLSrroaf9qRuqmJDtPEMn43E8tCSLPWrHko-3LQEkEyX6DvxppvRz6qx6DLqTY34TOVjZrFTFCvV9L1Db3CTLnKZb3Y9FZKLFn47JIhkWMVd9QPlLvxPMiXRvRnHxqGF3ter5F5q/s640/ferry%20fun.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqrkGwD28S6-tZ9OpFhWQvFo6PDOwjtiI-Jlnj9AEEFbKYhSCOLSrroaf9qRuqmJDtPEMn43E8tCSLPWrHko-3LQEkEyX6DvxppvRz6qx6DLqTY34TOVjZrFTFCvV9L1Db3CTLnKZb3Y9FZKLFn47JIhkWMVd9QPlLvxPMiXRvRnHxqGF3ter5F5q/s320/ferry%20fun.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wind-swept and interesting<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHvcJnJ52katPUJGEtj_xKz4cG19EweMVHkSD8JhOThkUog39L_r8GNabZvT_qCa1BrBnnc_lZCYt37b1XTjyj8_RYasK9Ov5KkedZyeg8dWvZDFa9eKWqrovoavvMqR_9VAziaAQwDSTxgI8ZsX_xxNvcF6PRvjfG3r9U_yTWOcr6oASO4zBxsLr/s1600/dining%20out.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHvcJnJ52katPUJGEtj_xKz4cG19EweMVHkSD8JhOThkUog39L_r8GNabZvT_qCa1BrBnnc_lZCYt37b1XTjyj8_RYasK9Ov5KkedZyeg8dWvZDFa9eKWqrovoavvMqR_9VAziaAQwDSTxgI8ZsX_xxNvcF6PRvjfG3r9U_yTWOcr6oASO4zBxsLr/s320/dining%20out.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I know ... how lucky are we! We actually managed to get on a ferry.<p></p><p>Kenneth booked a fabulous house in Brodick that managed accommodate himself and his partner Natalie; Gordon, Murphy and Rosie; Andy and myself and even an overnight visit (or two) from Andy's sister Chrissie and an overnighter from Andy's brother Robin. </p><p>Great fun was had by all... apart from a ferry cancellation that resulted in Chrissie staying an extra night. However we all agreed that that was an added bonus to our fun.</p><p>We enjoyed a lunch out at the Wineport. Good food and even managed a family game of charades... Well we did have the whole backroom to ourselves ...</p><p> Football in the garden was a frequent occupation, even in the rain. Yes surprisingly, it did rain. but most of the time the sun shone...<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIVLkny_uynuYxwIjhRnKJvtpk23Pnbq1sSVLBxpyN8AJEoLjpcI6yBkAsXtlPhpTvkpyS3GWg4Imwj2C1H7pVsYlgICBW2ubpONhNtbUeQNVKir5YpIjusRJFeG-JUvdJzPOl8N97Aqpz8AmUY_EnnETh6DbBtxW4wFFENTO5hTgDGGkL6wNeMoe/s1024/crazy%20golf.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIVLkny_uynuYxwIjhRnKJvtpk23Pnbq1sSVLBxpyN8AJEoLjpcI6yBkAsXtlPhpTvkpyS3GWg4Imwj2C1H7pVsYlgICBW2ubpONhNtbUeQNVKir5YpIjusRJFeG-JUvdJzPOl8N97Aqpz8AmUY_EnnETh6DbBtxW4wFFENTO5hTgDGGkL6wNeMoe/s320/crazy%20golf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p> </p><p>Proof of sunny days as there was lots of entertainment for adults and children to be had by playing crazy golf, swimming in the pool at Auchrannie and a trip to Blackwaterfoot to jump the waves. Well the last one was the children. I am not quite up to jumping the waves... yet!</p><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfqGY-QbYDp3umeGF_b7cJyhU5z2qUZxyiFxVBJJBgWFsQAE1lH-gSxfdBb7dbmNIT2-_jshNvup6ICtbluYuQvzcSeEI4DJrTWtH3ASpYJ4orZdpl2p1gJjdbcQWKW3JBJFF5k8j57Eahy8Od21DHiG2KaJjD4UseUag96mMIPY4KTXPZvKJonbS/s1600/jumping%20the%20waves.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfqGY-QbYDp3umeGF_b7cJyhU5z2qUZxyiFxVBJJBgWFsQAE1lH-gSxfdBb7dbmNIT2-_jshNvup6ICtbluYuQvzcSeEI4DJrTWtH3ASpYJ4orZdpl2p1gJjdbcQWKW3JBJFF5k8j57Eahy8Od21DHiG2KaJjD4UseUag96mMIPY4KTXPZvKJonbS/s320/jumping%20the%20waves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>My mother-in-law used to hire a house in Lamlash for two weeks every August and various members of the extended family visited, including ourseves, especially when our boys were young. Weather was the usual variable Scottish offering but the fun always included golf... crazy or otherwise!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJv3XisTm5ZK438wL4pFfXx7o-W50dc0PLhSTPFyIbj_UlxtHCUKe7Ap-QEIjnoOXxtwjw3RA6oq9eCZ5TrltwJq1Cqs9st0JiIeNzSZKzDUbiSJzDJEvAVDpRZrsOzcVxUM035UWbSCxR7ZS6vFJPhxuT7s6tqNV5zU1bWfBs7q0I-xcN75gT74A/s640/same%20ferry.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJv3XisTm5ZK438wL4pFfXx7o-W50dc0PLhSTPFyIbj_UlxtHCUKe7Ap-QEIjnoOXxtwjw3RA6oq9eCZ5TrltwJq1Cqs9st0JiIeNzSZKzDUbiSJzDJEvAVDpRZrsOzcVxUM035UWbSCxR7ZS6vFJPhxuT7s6tqNV5zU1bWfBs7q0I-xcN75gT74A/s320/same%20ferry.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>As I wrote in the blog's title, this visit was a trip down memory lane as the ferry we were lucky to travel with then, was the same one we went on this April ... </p><p> </p><p> "Deja-vu" - The same ferry to Arran... just different weather conditions, photo starring Andy, Kenneth and Gordon on the Isle of Arran ferry, circa 1980s<br /><br /></p><p></p><br />Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-42376430956291163212023-03-21T08:38:00.001-07:002023-03-21T08:38:59.216-07:00The Vernal Equinox<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqKyiyFK3-JgFo6HjhSaxEKr4iUORNbhmeEbGgYJ_HW-ldNxtiGh5OT6hUF8J3rZxekb5pJVYjw_eAoHfbnCYSPp57AbgHSyoga0lq3nhEnETGHOYCCzWYCaN_ZgQZTWJ6RhC2zjr2S3ncMZgd72UUp1fFGFWQmC_-FHGUn_Wov_Q77nsTlB9RS6N/s474/spring%20flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqKyiyFK3-JgFo6HjhSaxEKr4iUORNbhmeEbGgYJ_HW-ldNxtiGh5OT6hUF8J3rZxekb5pJVYjw_eAoHfbnCYSPp57AbgHSyoga0lq3nhEnETGHOYCCzWYCaN_ZgQZTWJ6RhC2zjr2S3ncMZgd72UUp1fFGFWQmC_-FHGUn_Wov_Q77nsTlB9RS6N/s320/spring%20flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I love this time of year. A time when we all get to feel a little excited about the possibilities of change.</p><p>There is always an anticipatory feeling of what could be round the corner. I usually think of it as how we feel when getting ready for a party where all our favourite people will be in attendance. </p><p>Or getting to go on holiday to a favourite resort and thinking of all the good times you have enjoyed in the past ... and looking forward to experiencing even more of the same or even better!</p><p>This is when we find oneselves at "sixes and sevens", a very strange description of flux I know, however the following definition sums up this specific time of year, perfectly.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHydaeZvr506t89J3qxcKbuSpNQnRyh-6XoKN5GJIcbvvdchoXffu_kEL4Gt0G6n3VAQmhpcxkIgpzb7FIDV2U1b4EsWmIl_lJ7HhRi7m7TNUABu2VcwBjkfEPpCeYeuKPQjM3hlDIAh7hoEuPF7g_gkfEE9bvQDrH_ugLob-aCfSamrQQXu5grHLv/s474/equinox%20quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="474" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHydaeZvr506t89J3qxcKbuSpNQnRyh-6XoKN5GJIcbvvdchoXffu_kEL4Gt0G6n3VAQmhpcxkIgpzb7FIDV2U1b4EsWmIl_lJ7HhRi7m7TNUABu2VcwBjkfEPpCeYeuKPQjM3hlDIAh7hoEuPF7g_gkfEE9bvQDrH_ugLob-aCfSamrQQXu5grHLv/s320/equinox%20quote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Let's help the sun choose to enlighten us...<br /></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-16069795014006638712023-02-22T08:24:00.001-08:002023-04-24T03:16:57.684-07:00Peace...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOouoX0oGC8YWluGRqvQiet4o_YuROTHnIBpXtyBYepv6Y_OJZZ6MZy7wS5caxTzetMnQ_E3ACLXvxuYBY1P1umh-9LadSOCx3aOt2Xls2W5eq8nGIkTZQgOz6kn3rfBUMUQHqMtUtCxltQEtf4MgY4qtl8swodeJHEDkWU_TZGaI8uh7-TGONb6W/s640/view.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOouoX0oGC8YWluGRqvQiet4o_YuROTHnIBpXtyBYepv6Y_OJZZ6MZy7wS5caxTzetMnQ_E3ACLXvxuYBY1P1umh-9LadSOCx3aOt2Xls2W5eq8nGIkTZQgOz6kn3rfBUMUQHqMtUtCxltQEtf4MgY4qtl8swodeJHEDkWU_TZGaI8uh7-TGONb6W/s320/view.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Well... the sun is shining in Largs today! and boy does it make a difference. There was an accompanying cold wind ... brrrr ...<br /><p></p><p>but our granddaughter, Rosie and myself, managed to persuade Grandpa to take a walk to the beach to search for shells...</p><p> and surprise surprise, there was an abundance of them.</p><p>Rosie loves the fact that although she brings a full bucket home to wash, with the next visit to the beach, the tide has brought even more of the beautiful shells she likes to collect.</p><p>We even encountered three dogs on the beach this morning that came to say hello. We think they must have been part wolf due to their "huskieness", but Rosie and the dogs still became pals and that added to our adventure. </p><p>We were so close to home... but still managed an adventure.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnTt-o39m5F-2QcOeY_rBsA48y07cA8PYnRaJgapPiO8VmBmrGVDOw_rlh_FAHgTQcCtxWg0QF8uVwGl9ywCRadSMqQco2J7bGSVull6vyD0dxCAeBpf7aqbljemSlYJqhN1i9Oorc4AbbCY4RMU0_5TpDDxmt14qSWIXisbq5-cAdNmIq_v5BTdx/s539/snoopy%20sunshine.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnTt-o39m5F-2QcOeY_rBsA48y07cA8PYnRaJgapPiO8VmBmrGVDOw_rlh_FAHgTQcCtxWg0QF8uVwGl9ywCRadSMqQco2J7bGSVull6vyD0dxCAeBpf7aqbljemSlYJqhN1i9Oorc4AbbCY4RMU0_5TpDDxmt14qSWIXisbq5-cAdNmIq_v5BTdx/s320/snoopy%20sunshine.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>As Rosie was our little ray of sunshine this morning, I realised that this Snoopy quote couldn't be more appropriate to our situation.<p>As, due to all that's going on in the world just now, we have all been struggling to find any kind of sunshine in our lives.</p><p>No matter how distant we live from war, earthquakes, poverty and chaos, we need to know that we can still make a difference.</p><p>Spreading sunshine can be as simple as donating to the varying charities that are stretched beyond measure. However we can always use the power of thought to reach out to the displaced, lost or grieving. </p><p>Not necessarily to send sunshine but to focus on Peace.</p><p></p><p>Wherever and whoever we are, we all need peace in our lives...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuD-DD0BzoAiFbHwY3tj24vnKZT_QXVz9Q1nZ2Vf4TyP0eCg-XtcgHudMm-V4RVh1trgXDe0bCBd-hn1rGLaqLvxctYs0qS-Dv_Umz2eX0cJR2EBKnnznZxyj7CsIajkwgGthFmeEF2Buq6xKuceDYbO2DodEOhgv1aPTMwo0KoD3JuRqAn4ZMwEtx/s640/Aum.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuD-DD0BzoAiFbHwY3tj24vnKZT_QXVz9Q1nZ2Vf4TyP0eCg-XtcgHudMm-V4RVh1trgXDe0bCBd-hn1rGLaqLvxctYs0qS-Dv_Umz2eX0cJR2EBKnnznZxyj7CsIajkwgGthFmeEF2Buq6xKuceDYbO2DodEOhgv1aPTMwo0KoD3JuRqAn4ZMwEtx/s320/Aum.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>OM, shanti, shanti shanti.<br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-24534961606738966412023-01-26T12:07:00.000-08:002023-01-26T12:07:14.361-08:00Celebration<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6brCI9BsEizxeAsT5bX8xTjyawoM1tjtPizSh8yG2MRNnrBow39ShQEK00-SjOAD1_oK6Kqxy-RIC3myBvodR7_DHrCPpEdsieVKtrovRqY8Fq7oT7Nkua2rAayK458jX4NF8jy7i0QYatmfVEA_d88Zrp-dyIG7mo1ZidL3AsRoxKZ-A-iZm4Mf/s320/book%20gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6brCI9BsEizxeAsT5bX8xTjyawoM1tjtPizSh8yG2MRNnrBow39ShQEK00-SjOAD1_oK6Kqxy-RIC3myBvodR7_DHrCPpEdsieVKtrovRqY8Fq7oT7Nkua2rAayK458jX4NF8jy7i0QYatmfVEA_d88Zrp-dyIG7mo1ZidL3AsRoxKZ-A-iZm4Mf/w240-h320/book%20gift.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> Last year, a friend of mine gave me a beautiful book to help me focus on blessings. Helen knows how I love poetry, so the combo of verse and blessings were perfect for me and I appreciated both the thought and the gift.<p></p><p>And the title of <b><i>Bless the Space Between Us</i></b> intrigued me.</p><p>The book is full of inspiring, insightful messages, beautifully written. Words that touch the deepest of emotions and calm the most troubling of times.</p><p>One of my favourites, that I return to regularly, is <b><i>"For Celebration"</i></b>... and as today is my husband, Andy's birthday and we are celebrating together, as a family, it seemed like a perfect gift to pass on to others.</p><p>As the words help us appreciate the many blessings, we share in our lives, I thought I would share this special poem with you ...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5Vr_IpTP6DJ-OPx3MoEiTdmNKb5n00B3-tlNUTg2A_7AzcSE2s_1Ox2P-kcs8qV9BKb61ChpmyXHsMG16e74t2je8kZ65oKwSR4DoKSyQ3C2A5upZpKlSuLeAXR_JuH80ucUrbGZAq-Vc5yrVuoE12zNP601FL8HU4aftRmtpfUYpIEBiT84V_iG/s640/again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5Vr_IpTP6DJ-OPx3MoEiTdmNKb5n00B3-tlNUTg2A_7AzcSE2s_1Ox2P-kcs8qV9BKb61ChpmyXHsMG16e74t2je8kZ65oKwSR4DoKSyQ3C2A5upZpKlSuLeAXR_JuH80ucUrbGZAq-Vc5yrVuoE12zNP601FL8HU4aftRmtpfUYpIEBiT84V_iG/w300-h400/again.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Many, many, thanks Helen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">... and many, many thanks to John O'Donohue</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a photo of some of my many blessings... <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevw8H-qP5l2M-wlHEwfgxW8dOTlvmf-ml3Zn8KJ4D9n5w-sKItjFbV1bIMycVvV-J99XHQxiWNHE3cXRUnS8-m7F1GWIT_YDIHM895MuqJ_1Z79kJfATt_Wwil33AsxK-Q7aE1vvGndUZF_V_KuxxCfFG7aJ1mznFXnZ9cJlU8c-CTmheJmGUbwfH/s640/famileee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevw8H-qP5l2M-wlHEwfgxW8dOTlvmf-ml3Zn8KJ4D9n5w-sKItjFbV1bIMycVvV-J99XHQxiWNHE3cXRUnS8-m7F1GWIT_YDIHM895MuqJ_1Z79kJfATt_Wwil33AsxK-Q7aE1vvGndUZF_V_KuxxCfFG7aJ1mznFXnZ9cJlU8c-CTmheJmGUbwfH/w240-h320/famileee.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-60919394177821847542022-12-15T07:51:00.000-08:002022-12-15T07:51:42.712-08:00Who knew....<p> so many surprises this month...</p><p>some welcome and some not so much!</p><p>First of all, the welcome ones. Murphy and Rosie came to stay.</p><p>Hallowe'en in Canada ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PLZv4wgGU1PglWIIUydwXVRj5BycmWMHnQFPkd7O-jtS8VmSawO3H3L93IHBw1KhnPRg-YfavBK70mz5LLjWQiU9rCJ5oJl71WJ1HiEx1ElgBO2GlAaA36uT4IAFrbf3kt8NhWCFhF24jY6mZ0PNVOeliakX6wLeaw8FtFI0CyFoPMDczvavPjUR/s1024/canada%20halloween.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PLZv4wgGU1PglWIIUydwXVRj5BycmWMHnQFPkd7O-jtS8VmSawO3H3L93IHBw1KhnPRg-YfavBK70mz5LLjWQiU9rCJ5oJl71WJ1HiEx1ElgBO2GlAaA36uT4IAFrbf3kt8NhWCFhF24jY6mZ0PNVOeliakX6wLeaw8FtFI0CyFoPMDczvavPjUR/s320/canada%20halloween.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirssOisZZGrfZrvfFvuqP96RxptEsMiEjMR01fxfTDL_osc4GOC9MvRoGwGMNmbXjFsyGtD6SGcLqhPquzzbNASDh6N3WO1G-omqCIO6dGHQzZlcyAkQYDulHGaBg77vS50G0VRX8cJq2du9psjKNWEDT5Egbu4mSnMOP4Y2TXf3_RwOlZpkaplgKb/s640/children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirssOisZZGrfZrvfFvuqP96RxptEsMiEjMR01fxfTDL_osc4GOC9MvRoGwGMNmbXjFsyGtD6SGcLqhPquzzbNASDh6N3WO1G-omqCIO6dGHQzZlcyAkQYDulHGaBg77vS50G0VRX8cJq2du9psjKNWEDT5Egbu4mSnMOP4Y2TXf3_RwOlZpkaplgKb/s320/children.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of angels!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p> and Christmas in Scotland. </p><p> We have even made it cold enough for our Canadian visitors with the temperature dropping below freezing. Brrrrr!</p><p> Tree up but loads of things to do before Santa comes...</p><p> However if I remember the Christmas story correctly, the angels always arrived early...</p><p> "Super delighted" with my double surprise, as the Canadians say...<br /></p><p>Question - what do <b>I</b>, say? </p><p>Answer - They are "Awesome"!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p> Now to the unwelcome surprise. I took a tumble and have manged to "jigger" both knees. You will be acquainted with that well know medical term - "jiggered".</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDmkT2e6Kckwog9nXZFZ6mLnbojK9YHrZtOW6e5pQgB-KEsIEXnxlnGRLn4JrVgKZXL4ByLydXAWwUjPNVQrWLA9rc_oPFN0PubLah-PoWQ0Smb8V8HBWxhXdAarG7U-xYAV05PnWcdjCiV-BlABPGJUFPZwW1xVN-imt6LXYcYiVhcVNILHh9mvm/s640/knees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDmkT2e6Kckwog9nXZFZ6mLnbojK9YHrZtOW6e5pQgB-KEsIEXnxlnGRLn4JrVgKZXL4ByLydXAWwUjPNVQrWLA9rc_oPFN0PubLah-PoWQ0Smb8V8HBWxhXdAarG7U-xYAV05PnWcdjCiV-BlABPGJUFPZwW1xVN-imt6LXYcYiVhcVNILHh9mvm/s320/knees.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Right is worse than left but both are challenging my moving around and of course interfering with shopping... and with Christmas looming I shall have to do a special letter to Santa (Andy) to help me out.</p><p>I may decorate my elbow crutches with tinsel to cheer myself up. Alternatively Christmas pudding earrings have always made me smile in the past. Not real ones of course...</p><p>... thank goodness there are children around to help me watch the mega number of Christmas movies on TV and work at embracing the spirit of Christmas with wishing you<br /></p><p><i><b><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span>"Peace and Good will to all!"</b></i><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-85935265053515289042022-11-15T06:35:00.000-08:002022-11-15T06:35:37.436-08:00Words of advice<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBSji_A3zpdk22kN2dQQpw7NQ9kmvjfyphKEwYvYwCMbhlYaLQyZkcc9Q8jGOKqxv59FlOpwquB8-y70zFR2UD7T40UsNUW-O_SW3Aun3F7XSyUMuHb-m_esFN4PBR6DEsGux5fe6EMu_u15WLj2OVj87bIEXv7YH0jSc_Yw71BrkAeNY7VckUqtz/s645/advice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBSji_A3zpdk22kN2dQQpw7NQ9kmvjfyphKEwYvYwCMbhlYaLQyZkcc9Q8jGOKqxv59FlOpwquB8-y70zFR2UD7T40UsNUW-O_SW3Aun3F7XSyUMuHb-m_esFN4PBR6DEsGux5fe6EMu_u15WLj2OVj87bIEXv7YH0jSc_Yw71BrkAeNY7VckUqtz/w294-h400/advice.jpg" width="294" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Well... </p><p>while searching for inspiration regarding an Aloe Connections monthly newsletter, I came across this advice. Strange though, as I wasn't aware that I was needing advice, but then when do we ever!</p><p> There is no name attached to the words of wisdom, but there is a sense of someone who has been there, done it and proudly wears the T-shirt. <br /></p><p>It also helps that the background picture is calming...</p><p>So what about words of advice?</p><p>I have always been aware that unsolicited advice is never welcome and even when solicited, it can be challenging to swallow. </p><p>As a physio, back in the dark ages, my advice was often sought and sometimes even taken. Nowadays, my advice is rarely sought, but when it is, a whole new relationship develops. The one with myself, as advice is always personal due to one's own experience!</p><p>Invariably, I have to quote Dame Maggie Smith who famously said " My dear, I never give advice, I only have opinions!"</p><p>Now maybe that would be a great quote for a T-shirt...<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-7664378004193583782022-10-27T09:07:00.001-07:002022-10-28T09:35:04.570-07:00Chaos reigns<p><br /></p><p>... with soooo many changes in our personal world just now, it is hard to keep up. The result is that writing is taking a bit of a back seat due to other life's commitments.</p><p>However, here's my October offering of an inspirational quote that is a favourite of mine. It always helps me put everything into perspective...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoxOlS4LC3w6E8oWWOuwHPd5CwrayuBgIRtkbI-RA81IliraPySFWKQ580YFPnRyDcpLRcw7usUt6rOyd2VwF8goCJ2wMUU71_D3s5y33nOdOv9UUMiJhjfVtT4souNybXm8er0rsMOMxV8wOs_nTLDWMjmSv-Mnoqy03_vaPy4Efq2_t6aBYsmuI/s1080/the%20invisible.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoxOlS4LC3w6E8oWWOuwHPd5CwrayuBgIRtkbI-RA81IliraPySFWKQ580YFPnRyDcpLRcw7usUt6rOyd2VwF8goCJ2wMUU71_D3s5y33nOdOv9UUMiJhjfVtT4souNybXm8er0rsMOMxV8wOs_nTLDWMjmSv-Mnoqy03_vaPy4Efq2_t6aBYsmuI/s320/the%20invisible.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here's to appreciating more of the invisible, even in the midst of chaos.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-20609924811701358282022-09-13T08:46:00.002-07:002022-09-14T04:57:46.807-07:00Seas of Change<p><span style="background-color: white;"><br />Do you notice how sometimes change can come insidiously, as in little by little, by almost imperceptible alterations? </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">One example being the wrinkles that time etches on the face or perhaps the pounds that miraculously gather around the waist!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">And then there is the other type of change. The tsunami! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zBBuiwq1hm4OkMr0tGCC76JizJYeNiNvR8oy29B31LSJJ973amHz-xPx8ZfZS-mxqkAK1mx55VM9dBD-z6yFKl5eth8yVg1u-Jz94OTTFpziDIt4li0qgIL5s5MmN-Qgtxiu6IIFOeUfHidShOSYbZ0p_9o16Qr-HoX8tQII3awh9a7Tde9jazFQ/s474/sea%20change.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="474" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zBBuiwq1hm4OkMr0tGCC76JizJYeNiNvR8oy29B31LSJJ973amHz-xPx8ZfZS-mxqkAK1mx55VM9dBD-z6yFKl5eth8yVg1u-Jz94OTTFpziDIt4li0qgIL5s5MmN-Qgtxiu6IIFOeUfHidShOSYbZ0p_9o16Qr-HoX8tQII3awh9a7Tde9jazFQ/w400-h253/sea%20change.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white;"> The sea of change that alters not just one's face but alters the whole face of life as we know it... and brings what seems to be a hundredweight of challenges with it.<br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">For some, this is when a health diagnosis hits home. For others, it is when war, famine, poverty and/or pestilence - the whole four horsemen "thingy" come riding into their own backyard.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Over the past week, changes in the UK's political scene preceded major changes in Britain's M<span></span>onarchy.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">We exchanged one male Prime Minister, Boris Johnstone for a female leader in the form of Liz Truss. A change that was perhaps considered inevitable... however when two days later another change that was also considered inevitable, happened, it still came as a surprise, a shock that resonated around the wolrd.<br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">The tsunami of change that Our Queen, Elizabeth had died and naturally her successor Prince Charles, was now King Charles III.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">There has been much said about Queen Elizabeth's life and works, and her remarkable reign. She was an amazing monarch, with inspirational qualities and her life is deserving of all the praise that is being showered on our memories of her. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">However I don't intend to dwell on the past or indeed what the future holds for any of us, in this blog. My only thought at this time is to recommend paying attention to the seas of change that are all around us. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">They carry us forward and require us to play our part in whatever way we can. When such a state of change happens, such as the rocking of the establishment, the changing of the guard, watch out for all the reflections of change in your own lives and like Elizabeth, rule steadfastly and sail safely through... wherever the tide takes you.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytUUZ_rkZCVqmsuYiUnzzUaZYBYgtlFtdOH0YCzBuHT3qCfonUxu8WcSDEQ2v-guOn4QgnfEJAcXR7tz-XM1Zja6q1lVvLPed2Cly-5abEAGmn5McL5lucBJ0-9__ANb1-3EOptJmpgYOSMDx730TVOf4UIe0Q2wtYctIbrPVFsAVQk_jMLlWL38x/s474/flower%20change.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="474" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytUUZ_rkZCVqmsuYiUnzzUaZYBYgtlFtdOH0YCzBuHT3qCfonUxu8WcSDEQ2v-guOn4QgnfEJAcXR7tz-XM1Zja6q1lVvLPed2Cly-5abEAGmn5McL5lucBJ0-9__ANb1-3EOptJmpgYOSMDx730TVOf4UIe0Q2wtYctIbrPVFsAVQk_jMLlWL38x/s320/flower%20change.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #b4a7d6;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #b4a7d6;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-17885310587657461842022-08-19T06:19:00.001-07:002022-08-19T08:12:17.480-07:00Visitors<p>It was wonderful last week, to be able to have visitors to stay... and not just any old visitors but family, in the form of Andy's cousin Maggie and her husband Mark. </p><p>My in-laws, yeah, but they have always felt like family to me.</p><p>They came to Scotland from Canada for an extended stay, taking in the Western Isles and all that the Scottish weather and hospitality could offer. </p><p>Over the years, we have spent many fun times with the Scurfield branch of the family. They opened their homes and hearts to us all, allowing us a glimpse of what their family and by association, Canada had to offer! </p><p>There were road trips, boat trips, water parks, theme parks and many, many interesting family meals!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-z5dWU67TE4TBpmqtSDhowzjFUXCLTicUWUxAcSSNMzOyR1juoSUxuv9yOTNWGBeV2XG7SvA1SDymK-WNpQzJx2nAnpRTL1x6JisiBRd5QeJjsZRgt1jt4De9vmKkLD6AuUQd0IgdddMInsOxmGfxriTqjjZ40RQyrKpXexOw262q3nvb2aDufBv_/s640/Family%20groups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-z5dWU67TE4TBpmqtSDhowzjFUXCLTicUWUxAcSSNMzOyR1juoSUxuv9yOTNWGBeV2XG7SvA1SDymK-WNpQzJx2nAnpRTL1x6JisiBRd5QeJjsZRgt1jt4De9vmKkLD6AuUQd0IgdddMInsOxmGfxriTqjjZ40RQyrKpXexOw262q3nvb2aDufBv_/s320/Family%20groups.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00Cr0gq1AWvPRXUVBfllp_4LwfRiHCnswPjT1uqXiL4-neziK20v_ANZxdTazI6Ns5Du2_WQuvCCAkdO4YNOyjxYnRX47Q__RDLO-mI7w_TgMVPnLOu4IKqf7CVdTxeMzy_ofaIBvsXK8E5-y8Er1NKxi4HEpgBosCpu82AUovaOfHQX0_czlQAz_/s640/niagara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00Cr0gq1AWvPRXUVBfllp_4LwfRiHCnswPjT1uqXiL4-neziK20v_ANZxdTazI6Ns5Du2_WQuvCCAkdO4YNOyjxYnRX47Q__RDLO-mI7w_TgMVPnLOu4IKqf7CVdTxeMzy_ofaIBvsXK8E5-y8Er1NKxi4HEpgBosCpu82AUovaOfHQX0_czlQAz_/w320-h240/niagara.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>... and who could forget our trip to Niagara Falls!<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p>We can never thank you enough. The welcoming hospitality began with the matriarch, Aunt Maggie and her husband Uncle Jim and is continuing with their children... Jamie, Evelyn and Maggie... and including partners Giselle, Todd and Mark. </p><p>"Grazie mille" to you all.<br /></p><p>The previous photos were taken in 1991 and Aunt Maggie is still on matriarchal duties!</p><p>Here are some snapshots of the recent family reunion in Largs...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uh67ncxQiSV6nJdfprHOBfKHCu4vkkTksNoM335t76SA66GTDeOy3hr4tSia0JAogBqwuoGNY2FGRzrHpKe-9Cgr4gSmO-wfq6RWMtZmQdOAjNg1hOoiPgm2hGwKhVx9ugxJz7pXK6r3TTqEkMmIGe-RvP3NQcZ-jz-MWHXDpJc4WxA9EkLLrRG-/s1024/circle%20of%20trust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uh67ncxQiSV6nJdfprHOBfKHCu4vkkTksNoM335t76SA66GTDeOy3hr4tSia0JAogBqwuoGNY2FGRzrHpKe-9Cgr4gSmO-wfq6RWMtZmQdOAjNg1hOoiPgm2hGwKhVx9ugxJz7pXK6r3TTqEkMmIGe-RvP3NQcZ-jz-MWHXDpJc4WxA9EkLLrRG-/s320/circle%20of%20trust.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extended family in extended room!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span> Inside - t</span>able for two?</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSInisH4fXhwMGpoWJJ242fwHT3RhUhNFGrGfURcdaY5tvTLOdntNQTUZFlkFaCBgkq13MQh8sZigGiKr7TCqOTVfwtHJMgoyXxk8zDL9WFfBneJjgvC91wGSQpYnVWDvQxVtbfwHsvd_h5eSEL7N-0mXkcTJuuNklfqIspUfM3kR77p5icJOWQjR/s1024/family%20I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSInisH4fXhwMGpoWJJ242fwHT3RhUhNFGrGfURcdaY5tvTLOdntNQTUZFlkFaCBgkq13MQh8sZigGiKr7TCqOTVfwtHJMgoyXxk8zDL9WFfBneJjgvC91wGSQpYnVWDvQxVtbfwHsvd_h5eSEL7N-0mXkcTJuuNklfqIspUfM3kR77p5icJOWQjR/s320/family%20I.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie and Robin<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Outside - where will we go? </p><p>There are four choices in Largs... up the hill...<br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_krxgg5iYpUKKJneE2l7rG1ZAP--vmBMQPXMSoF6rAgqXEAe1ohHlqIuCOWPAbeL5AUFAwdhlg-vYs7rbznkk9Sz17ca6VVcQWNpplPDVApDdw8MAONIwAFLGyUqxbstTl1kQ2WFxxOkZVps35qp6c-uiylSnrbsjNXZoj34KrEpsCLvYuT6RLpA/s1024/Kenny%20and%20Mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_krxgg5iYpUKKJneE2l7rG1ZAP--vmBMQPXMSoF6rAgqXEAe1ohHlqIuCOWPAbeL5AUFAwdhlg-vYs7rbznkk9Sz17ca6VVcQWNpplPDVApDdw8MAONIwAFLGyUqxbstTl1kQ2WFxxOkZVps35qp6c-uiylSnrbsjNXZoj34KrEpsCLvYuT6RLpA/s320/Kenny%20and%20Mark.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenny and Marks<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>or down the front...</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFNOEoEiirWqWXcmCax19_euI7U-QHG41xtXRzwW-bP2Qtn4vfYOENRIr25g83CnspY01xMAxjMKcj1UyffONbIxQi5znOKjPtmkqOUnniVbmNRvOGYx72KzCvqoicfqDlnpNvEWICExGVcoInmEvpo3zXV-yeAvCZPRSJDjU-RfzAJYm4d8wE89N/s1024/the%20grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFNOEoEiirWqWXcmCax19_euI7U-QHG41xtXRzwW-bP2Qtn4vfYOENRIr25g83CnspY01xMAxjMKcj1UyffONbIxQi5znOKjPtmkqOUnniVbmNRvOGYx72KzCvqoicfqDlnpNvEWICExGVcoInmEvpo3zXV-yeAvCZPRSJDjU-RfzAJYm4d8wE89N/s320/the%20grass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie and Maggie</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></p><p><span> </span></p><p><span> </span>What about out to the pencil?</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiJcUwXR_dXecYhk70-g63bpuVlGMn0wPJ4pvDJSI_cOu8P82uzXJjnYlt7eqCCObVFfn0_Y9N9siZltfs6PjhG1qqngyIG3SuW977uMueIEJNIjd-ZTXe9qFNRsNEpnamNanzeOXqEOvLx68b79bqqgihIkO9uv5BEH8lBUeO6Kel0SlE7mQLRGY/s640/the%20pencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiJcUwXR_dXecYhk70-g63bpuVlGMn0wPJ4pvDJSI_cOu8P82uzXJjnYlt7eqCCObVFfn0_Y9N9siZltfs6PjhG1qqngyIG3SuW977uMueIEJNIjd-ZTXe9qFNRsNEpnamNanzeOXqEOvLx68b79bqqgihIkO9uv5BEH8lBUeO6Kel0SlE7mQLRGY/s320/the%20pencil.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are Mark and Maggie Vikings?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Or there is always a welcome visit to the Anchor Bar...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxFLuv0hLba_V6f6nRYowYtZb97wj7MyFPiDVmdq1PUCbexxfcW_t28SDKoww2wK4EXPcTIRwM1ZsmzOGJhFEuyIjgd2yTLOD3yYjxlwpS-CVJpzlrCJMAOin6sdP2vtIkuMnsl0gWKl4fwlLCe3vi0i2IejbcVwUzt7PO4H6MClY5RtrnFYyWrKB/s1024/the%20anchor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxFLuv0hLba_V6f6nRYowYtZb97wj7MyFPiDVmdq1PUCbexxfcW_t28SDKoww2wK4EXPcTIRwM1ZsmzOGJhFEuyIjgd2yTLOD3yYjxlwpS-CVJpzlrCJMAOin6sdP2vtIkuMnsl0gWKl4fwlLCe3vi0i2IejbcVwUzt7PO4H6MClY5RtrnFYyWrKB/s320/the%20anchor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then... waiting for the sunset.<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BPYehAD6T26jI9c-INesuNDy0mlAw65tVMTZUmozmlkxhJ6R7i2xH9Fb7JbZ2qvFuKAuxhxAl2SPdFe2O7L39cUjGztWTPE0pY89qNBxm_4W3ipmczS5i52TkkxE0o2IPKA55kC5wxfeR94GjTph8q7uZ858xX-LzWmfYe2fL01iRWAQok4mRm-j/s1600/waiting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BPYehAD6T26jI9c-INesuNDy0mlAw65tVMTZUmozmlkxhJ6R7i2xH9Fb7JbZ2qvFuKAuxhxAl2SPdFe2O7L39cUjGztWTPE0pY89qNBxm_4W3ipmczS5i52TkkxE0o2IPKA55kC5wxfeR94GjTph8q7uZ858xX-LzWmfYe2fL01iRWAQok4mRm-j/s320/waiting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clan gathering<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Well worth the wait...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXkqZgXvoAmzdNga2g36fwAe9XYZzhP9rsWFzbL7lbJeZkDXO7X9btqTHzAxR5F14YWWfrpL1uH6Zarxe60EkHdAtJggVE-pBYst7XVnty6m0hDvWu37DXE-axU6y1A757xJJRM7vPtUw8RIkvT31KV8b_CzDv4DIt6shCOdo1Gmtm5vEXTWmg1gh/s1600/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1600" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXkqZgXvoAmzdNga2g36fwAe9XYZzhP9rsWFzbL7lbJeZkDXO7X9btqTHzAxR5F14YWWfrpL1uH6Zarxe60EkHdAtJggVE-pBYst7XVnty6m0hDvWu37DXE-axU6y1A757xJJRM7vPtUw8RIkvT31KV8b_CzDv4DIt6shCOdo1Gmtm5vEXTWmg1gh/s320/Sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p><br />Thanks for including us Maggie and Mark, in your trip's itinerary. We loved having you and even the sun smiled when you visited us in Largs...<br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-6819406468119837932022-07-16T05:35:00.000-07:002022-07-16T05:35:16.313-07:00Flourishing<p> Last week was a busy week for me...</p><p>Usually the highlight of my week is swimming, but last week saw me driving to Loch Fyne, with a school pal from Oban High School to meet up with another. Then a few days later Andy and I were on the Arran ferry for a day trip to the famous island to meet up with family ... and then a couple of days later we were travelling to Edinburgh to attend a Garden Party. </p><p>No, not the official Queen's do! But it was still a right "royal" affair.<br /></p><p>This week has been back to the usual programme of events - swimming, shopping and staying close to home, however it has given me more time to ponder. Something I can highly recommend.</p><p>So what is there to ponder about when all around seems to be chaos, with foolish decisions being made on the right, left and centre stage! </p><p>Well first of all, let me show you our garden. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw16BBNa7AsewOCbnR78wfuRjGFXPWxxt2swIuTkdO-6Kwbod5EjLini6cF8XsvDYqMRA7tFHxf_SwY048oOpHVRI7pxord-Vjd8g330od3vOSNGH7ExoZSHyQ77aYkmBI5vuJtWNVcWbd_7IkU8-9L3G5F0GIKd-f46rZTAgbm58kPEQghKFYfG-L/s640/window%20box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw16BBNa7AsewOCbnR78wfuRjGFXPWxxt2swIuTkdO-6Kwbod5EjLini6cF8XsvDYqMRA7tFHxf_SwY048oOpHVRI7pxord-Vjd8g330od3vOSNGH7ExoZSHyQ77aYkmBI5vuJtWNVcWbd_7IkU8-9L3G5F0GIKd-f46rZTAgbm58kPEQghKFYfG-L/s320/window%20box.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It is one of a pair of window boxes, although it is "hanging out" on the balcony, so window box is not quite right... pedantic, moi!<p></p><p>... and when I hang out on the balcony with my morning coffee and drink in the view as well as the caffeine, I can appreciate (ponder) the meaning of the word flourishing. </p><p>My take on it is, <i><b>"growth without expectation of the outcome". </b></i>It seems that some things, like plants and people, circumstances and environments just can't help themselves. They grow vigorously, in ignorance of external pressures, just happy to express their nature in all its glory.</p><p>Now to another flourishing pair. </p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLYNrzAcsjjTPJpzZhX7587gv2wvmYLjOirnIfWN0aZUwMioImHD9YsvJoNnD4qBCweLQ0SoNwrJ54dBYdg0nTTNqY_4GosvO-7ZZhIA00KBnGIhuFpIvQIT1SWwIt606VErJVUVw0khkzV-UFYJnNwuks-sA3swJIdv-8snMkdnC3XIrUcxMeN_h/s1024/rainbow%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLYNrzAcsjjTPJpzZhX7587gv2wvmYLjOirnIfWN0aZUwMioImHD9YsvJoNnD4qBCweLQ0SoNwrJ54dBYdg0nTTNqY_4GosvO-7ZZhIA00KBnGIhuFpIvQIT1SWwIt606VErJVUVw0khkzV-UFYJnNwuks-sA3swJIdv-8snMkdnC3XIrUcxMeN_h/s320/rainbow%202.jpg" width="240" /></a>I thought you would like to see a few photos of a wonderful example of flourishing. </p><p>Two children delighting in having fun! </p><p> <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDCa8EF67rFmvhgKSRvb2YR7j8YtQ2TGetBz9OBSw245un4fwmceVjFHzKzaak7T0IhMSKCgEpDxcLu0t8J-XzQD8ofapcKreEtgKU9vs0vwzQZmjaiF_-WY-T8j3Kc4Zi459vsRh9M2MW6NiSIii9_CZTY4FB76ZRpUkBfNDaRJoBFjfEEI-ZdtA/s1024/rainbow%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDCa8EF67rFmvhgKSRvb2YR7j8YtQ2TGetBz9OBSw245un4fwmceVjFHzKzaak7T0IhMSKCgEpDxcLu0t8J-XzQD8ofapcKreEtgKU9vs0vwzQZmjaiF_-WY-T8j3Kc4Zi459vsRh9M2MW6NiSIii9_CZTY4FB76ZRpUkBfNDaRJoBFjfEEI-ZdtA/s320/rainbow%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <br /><p></p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxAsFCLfpxRAEc1G8Bd18wIm-3VJontp9S3CksvOaO0y0DcxPM_Mk9r_lBm828h61JWWe3H-B5yDAFn9ysNAHEIhAhGm5TPQC7Vl8w5-1bW5J_5lkTSh-5kIySEY94AXwMgGndXYvdxjUnGLifIG8mGl5SWrS0KYiqI_NbSYSll8bGK6oRdf5VnL4/s1024/rainbow%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxAsFCLfpxRAEc1G8Bd18wIm-3VJontp9S3CksvOaO0y0DcxPM_Mk9r_lBm828h61JWWe3H-B5yDAFn9ysNAHEIhAhGm5TPQC7Vl8w5-1bW5J_5lkTSh-5kIySEY94AXwMgGndXYvdxjUnGLifIG8mGl5SWrS0KYiqI_NbSYSll8bGK6oRdf5VnL4/s320/rainbow%204.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> and enjoying the awesome beauty of a rainbow...<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7mtO6McHAUEd6oIXmKlY1rkcsoZ1XXMK4Pa6syL35ogEYyTdXTRkKWoymKAxgTNB6yj-gi2oivpRZhxhoEPULmQbWlREhi0WCNfB6exDhCTBPxkX5MZIaKGWviTOte5GCVFOAhsPkd7a1ae_-rNBlH58ctwDTl0nDRkg-ICFNgHNMiRAdy-2QAZk/s1024/and%20again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7mtO6McHAUEd6oIXmKlY1rkcsoZ1XXMK4Pa6syL35ogEYyTdXTRkKWoymKAxgTNB6yj-gi2oivpRZhxhoEPULmQbWlREhi0WCNfB6exDhCTBPxkX5MZIaKGWviTOte5GCVFOAhsPkd7a1ae_-rNBlH58ctwDTl0nDRkg-ICFNgHNMiRAdy-2QAZk/s320/and%20again.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>I challenge you not to smile with them. We all need to find something, anything, to smile about...<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-64088453002141140552022-06-15T06:11:00.000-07:002022-06-15T06:11:38.415-07:00Self-care...<p>People have different views on what self-care means.</p><p>For some it means the annual holiday away and that's when entitlement creeps in.</p><p>For others it means time to yourself; a leisurely bath, quiet meditation, an engrossing book or even a solitary walk. </p><p>Then there is the opposite side of the coin, having time to connect with others ...</p><p></p><p>Having just experienced a few days away with pals in the beautiful Perthshire countryside, I was struck by all of the above ways to invest in the application of self-care... and when I say invest, I don't mean spending money, I mean spending time. A much more important commodity!</p><p>We had such a lovely time with our friends that there is no photograhpic evidence, so no selfies! as we were enjoying ourselves so much that we never even thought to photograph ourselves or load a memory on facebook or instagram. We were just grateful for the opportunity to spend time in like-minded, convivial company. </p><p>Well I was, I can't speak for Andy, Billy and Catherine! although believe me I do try...</p><p>So back to self-care and entitlement. It is a paradoxical subject. If caring for self, means harming, annoying or costing others their happiness, it has a tendency to rebound. </p><p>Removing entitlement from our requirements immediately takes us down the road to experiencing happiness. It's one of those fabulous conundrums, helping others is the ultimate in self-help (self-care).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3QcCgs7v5mIlGZHmMX38SEM0x_z6vEeFyyP5RmdE9tYRqZKmJsOvhZCgeK-Gz7Qwdt4sxJRYmPjJNUXHdYEHRryXamw7G8mIycG1XqwVWmkRWgebyrGpYFgJ-rEKutdZUHIlugMS3ycH6963hTRSitaPeh1iPVn1px74vIlmJTQQdK_J9yPupm0B/s564/friendship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3QcCgs7v5mIlGZHmMX38SEM0x_z6vEeFyyP5RmdE9tYRqZKmJsOvhZCgeK-Gz7Qwdt4sxJRYmPjJNUXHdYEHRryXamw7G8mIycG1XqwVWmkRWgebyrGpYFgJ-rEKutdZUHIlugMS3ycH6963hTRSitaPeh1iPVn1px74vIlmJTQQdK_J9yPupm0B/s320/friendship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Grazie Billy and Catherine for your friendship and your company at Duchally, and the many, many happy "roads" we have travelled.<br /><p></p><p>The ultimate in self-care - invest in real friendship. That Charlie Brown and Snoopy knew a thing or two!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-48591962291485630072022-05-18T06:03:00.002-07:002022-05-18T06:03:57.015-07:00Friday the 13th May 2022<p>What an auspicious day! My favourite date... Friday the 13th. Lucky for some.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9rDKOboi2kiKgznfHdiMEnxGrCJS17eoYLUA0FPURbglnRi8_pG9GMhV7bB2IsYkd0aWp1a8L9alGZHJzAIEC0SE0c87TFML8K4mzhqGrz88yoX3YmEBRr2D_LhKMmiey4KVc_MY0xlApxMd6FfA080Q4z6vD7yEoNqowmg0uRFsKwv5Ua3P2Ifh/s640/The%20start.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9rDKOboi2kiKgznfHdiMEnxGrCJS17eoYLUA0FPURbglnRi8_pG9GMhV7bB2IsYkd0aWp1a8L9alGZHJzAIEC0SE0c87TFML8K4mzhqGrz88yoX3YmEBRr2D_LhKMmiey4KVc_MY0xlApxMd6FfA080Q4z6vD7yEoNqowmg0uRFsKwv5Ua3P2Ifh/s320/The%20start.jpg" /></a></div><p> <span> </span></p><p><span> </span>At last... </p><p> old, rotten window out and new window on its way in.</p><p> The window saga started last year with a proposed date for August then it was delayed to September, then cancelled and a date in October promised and indeed the builders and the window eventually did arrive!</p><p> However, it was not to be! Our lovely view of the Clyde coast via a picture window couldn't happen as part of the wall was holding the whole building up!</p><p> It could have been a disaster. </p><p>What can I say... </p><p><br /></p><p>Everything went on hold as we headed to Canada and on our return in January 2022, we started the ball rolling again. Only to be delayed over and over due to a raft of reasons. </p><p>Window not ready, glass not arrived, builders not available etc... </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_38PXXOXxImrMcbdgLq_TqnwqJOe5RVGEaURAb_VA5h0eZ6kmMKLGmOoXgA_FkS1utXWLoE_NsEHHbBspTN7MuZxUjqnvUO9hY7Npe5K7YGAradxiPBV8rxDwAdEwgg5Qx8dAoWww9lOrj5ySqG__rr6jlMfyT4pzwve_oRvUtbVFiWlZeBu9jOA/s640/window%20in.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_38PXXOXxImrMcbdgLq_TqnwqJOe5RVGEaURAb_VA5h0eZ6kmMKLGmOoXgA_FkS1utXWLoE_NsEHHbBspTN7MuZxUjqnvUO9hY7Npe5K7YGAradxiPBV8rxDwAdEwgg5Qx8dAoWww9lOrj5ySqG__rr6jlMfyT4pzwve_oRvUtbVFiWlZeBu9jOA/s320/window%20in.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p>... so imagine our delight when eventually the window and the tradesmen arrived. They even arrived early on the day - <br /></p><p><span> </span><span> </span>Friday the 13th!<br /></p><p>Now the saga continues with the proverbial straw. </p><p>We have coped with delays ... and in this uncertain world, our replacement window is really not important. <br />However when I found out that the handle I requested was different from the one in situ, "Eileen" lost her rag. </p><p>Over a handle! yep... Such a small, insignificant item that just pushed me to my limit. So much for calm under pressure. To crown it all, I had even recently told a friend that my "youthful/immature" tendency to emotionally erupt had disappeared. Yeah. I hear you... pride and falls and all that...</p><p><span> </span></p><p><span>I forgot that it isn't what you see, it is how you see it that matters! So moving on, with a changed perspective, I am now focusing on the view, not the handle.</span><br /></p><p><span> </span><span> </span>Monday the 16th May<br /></p><p>The plasterer cometh... and "goeth" on the one day! Work done, we are nearly there...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ex4orw7R_GJBlRYky86b0azyGRxJ7-ZAp2Eg846wObkTHjInKZ-P-vzou_KTlsVsAOSqwouqKAB36v1NwPs6gdcO7qVUhkUWAlI-hBlm_sqVYg-_Z22vZX_2llQKckfUmzPrtWO9qEzX5pKk2iI0WbBGD990K7-ap4ldHPzPsi-BsoPLsMr7KUsk/s640/getting%20there.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ex4orw7R_GJBlRYky86b0azyGRxJ7-ZAp2Eg846wObkTHjInKZ-P-vzou_KTlsVsAOSqwouqKAB36v1NwPs6gdcO7qVUhkUWAlI-hBlm_sqVYg-_Z22vZX_2llQKckfUmzPrtWO9qEzX5pKk2iI0WbBGD990K7-ap4ldHPzPsi-BsoPLsMr7KUsk/s320/getting%20there.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Now it's just up to us to finish it off with some painting... and I am finishing off the blog with a quote from one of my favourite philosophers, Marcus Aurelius.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWhBDt6BQbfD9CGN03l73M8_PtHjXaXC2JpoyG37km0SIBNDrEVGuyjrlcRH8kmhdIwQ-ibAbrA2enrWnUNNcX2h3NC2OHnaZs6py2cmRJoCj0gu_Sga7ZyIMDqu14HTDpEwFSj_qLOIUvl-nG93FbnR7Wty19o6rasxq12hTb6YvxBhwBpn_2R-V/s380/marcus%20and%20stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="380" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWhBDt6BQbfD9CGN03l73M8_PtHjXaXC2JpoyG37km0SIBNDrEVGuyjrlcRH8kmhdIwQ-ibAbrA2enrWnUNNcX2h3NC2OHnaZs6py2cmRJoCj0gu_Sga7ZyIMDqu14HTDpEwFSj_qLOIUvl-nG93FbnR7Wty19o6rasxq12hTb6YvxBhwBpn_2R-V/w400-h200/marcus%20and%20stars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Next time a handle ( trivia) comes into view, I will remember to dwell on the stars!<br /><p></p><br /><p><i><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></i></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-28469815264232427792022-04-13T10:45:00.001-07:002022-04-25T04:25:54.587-07:00Staying Well Connected<p>23 year ago Grainne Crawford came into my life. First as a client, then as my receptionist, promoted to Well Connected's Practice Manager and then my business partner and some would say "partner in crime"!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6G1n694i9f_wqvNc7Rpc1xFx1YSyKuuXtXBsn2S2Yz089FIQQvhY14WOQV-CebtwD5fShG1XgbgBrbNbio1ckMZqObsCOiQRporUhlswd5cK9Klj4SHuKI-iJsUb20U28HD33VKtVc9ED3GqDaJa4b3pyHZgASSe1GnnernjDrBAwTBw60Nl4ILH/s640/two%20of%20us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6G1n694i9f_wqvNc7Rpc1xFx1YSyKuuXtXBsn2S2Yz089FIQQvhY14WOQV-CebtwD5fShG1XgbgBrbNbio1ckMZqObsCOiQRporUhlswd5cK9Klj4SHuKI-iJsUb20U28HD33VKtVc9ED3GqDaJa4b3pyHZgASSe1GnnernjDrBAwTBw60Nl4ILH/w400-h300/two%20of%20us.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the begining.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>We had many an adventure, enjoyed journeys across the world, even survived moments of crazy lifestyle choices and car crashes, both literally and metaphorically. Living to tell the tale...<br /></p><p>We held presentations to golfers, business women, yoga courses in Italy, dream weekends in Scotland and we excelled at "networking" both here in the UK and abroad.</p><p>However let me start at the begining ... and as our business strap line said. Life is a journey - enjoy!</p><p>Our friendship started with Grainne experiencing physiotherapy and becoming aware of the various therapies that I could offer my clients and she was very much a part of my first toe in the water launch into the business world, one of employing staff and building an expanding business.</p><p>However combining being business partners and friends can be tricky, as Grainne and I found out, when many a time we were at "cross" purposes with me wanting to paint the bigger picture and Grainne deciding to consolidate on what we already had. </p><p>Yin and yang as the Chinese philosophers would say. The best of both worlds is more what Grainne and I would agree to. </p><p>Agreeing to compromise is definitely the name of the game in just about any walk of life and we were learning to walk a business tight-rope together, neither of us having any experience before.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-KcoT7hp0bd9kwIb-x6zIiY8u8GCCedkznm8ViPCwPSwL4GBLVqMyTvA3CMnJCKc6SO8ahjtFSoiserJxNqJLhmgXn1bBE4Ky_yk1HxUQbIzIMX4d1ROQn-JcTp1DbttbnVGt593GiTk4kWroY19UrSXE2wnsGEK0M-2fvCvnCLEFpESiWFoxChi/s2000/bubbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-KcoT7hp0bd9kwIb-x6zIiY8u8GCCedkznm8ViPCwPSwL4GBLVqMyTvA3CMnJCKc6SO8ahjtFSoiserJxNqJLhmgXn1bBE4Ky_yk1HxUQbIzIMX4d1ROQn-JcTp1DbttbnVGt593GiTk4kWroY19UrSXE2wnsGEK0M-2fvCvnCLEFpESiWFoxChi/w150-h200/bubbles.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> So Grainne is now about to celebrate her 60th birthday in May and decided to start her year celebrating with a couple of friends... as mentioned before "Life's a journey - enjoy". So Lucy and I got to join Grainne on her inaugural birthday bash... <p></p>There are so many people wanting to share in Grainne's celebrating that it was a privilege to share a posh hotel d/b and b party time and it reminded me of a few previous moments that we have shared over the years as we chose to share "amicizia". The Italian word for friendship...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6YKxJzBUCHiEp5lRUW7c6U_yb8CxpyezZWJ3BKevCDqnFL0B2TTXj2iKJxp6gfulfZxZto_Tv5QkRY6AbkhNK3eJnTpyQXaWcOwbPb_thHY2veYS4vYT1AMMoP4rvght0QX1kkwb4oUB65IETPH7lEJoH09JtUfNScqoFLczdjO75HTJgJWXu_N-/s2000/three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6YKxJzBUCHiEp5lRUW7c6U_yb8CxpyezZWJ3BKevCDqnFL0B2TTXj2iKJxp6gfulfZxZto_Tv5QkRY6AbkhNK3eJnTpyQXaWcOwbPb_thHY2veYS4vYT1AMMoP4rvght0QX1kkwb4oUB65IETPH7lEJoH09JtUfNScqoFLczdjO75HTJgJWXu_N-/s320/three.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good friends</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> There was a memorable trip to Toronto, when we were part of a Scottish contingent promoting Scotland as a golfing destination and ourselves, Well Connected Golf, as an essential part of the golfing experience!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPY7KL7iE4rgiRevTj7OWwnfKS59ZK-0Hzb_VPeicaf2Bnppef4bPFbOJPAUBu9deT_wBWHGl8aGZ1pUL5hk-LkDS7IPPBplupk9q-RPbeOIbVwabBIERMpZpRKY9I8HB93C5iA7J7QsvY8S2TnxbvpqimY9YusVAw74M0Aftb36jQ3liJSJa2e87/s640/Canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPY7KL7iE4rgiRevTj7OWwnfKS59ZK-0Hzb_VPeicaf2Bnppef4bPFbOJPAUBu9deT_wBWHGl8aGZ1pUL5hk-LkDS7IPPBplupk9q-RPbeOIbVwabBIERMpZpRKY9I8HB93C5iA7J7QsvY8S2TnxbvpqimY9YusVAw74M0Aftb36jQ3liJSJa2e87/s320/Canada.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />... and how could I ever forget sharing a trip to Japan to visit Grainne's son. Memorable doesn't even begin to cover it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWPA2M-Xod4jN0U-2OuLlLQAFOyAqM6o4NVDOBbjhWamonOSHl7o9avAWnG1VN5LHaYn27neppWYGe19uftnj1pL4L91Fg1Ap99QHB1dFru7fzaMONMtLsnrWVs-3BAd9CHdBzzktr-1e8PUO9EeJ5geqOMcD5OiXk6tOuOwgF5WqkgFDf7eUDWJ-/s640/Kimonos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWPA2M-Xod4jN0U-2OuLlLQAFOyAqM6o4NVDOBbjhWamonOSHl7o9avAWnG1VN5LHaYn27neppWYGe19uftnj1pL4L91Fg1Ap99QHB1dFru7fzaMONMtLsnrWVs-3BAd9CHdBzzktr-1e8PUO9EeJ5geqOMcD5OiXk6tOuOwgF5WqkgFDf7eUDWJ-/s320/Kimonos.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHlsoP2GzCXDMvVHodAALtaC1ILiMSqjGWskygq0FbJSulzwDo966VrAuajFX-pH9nqtlvOzIMZ7z_gRm54Y3zdj0nFknSL9lzgqykCVeofjteqj_tKMK8ZXfakR7WrcSSOIsXZug08MouDHuMN8qMhSoELg9e4vKsM2nrrQ20BzXrem2xG7-M2QS/s640/Karaoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHlsoP2GzCXDMvVHodAALtaC1ILiMSqjGWskygq0FbJSulzwDo966VrAuajFX-pH9nqtlvOzIMZ7z_gRm54Y3zdj0nFknSL9lzgqykCVeofjteqj_tKMK8ZXfakR7WrcSSOIsXZug08MouDHuMN8qMhSoELg9e4vKsM2nrrQ20BzXrem2xG7-M2QS/s320/Karaoke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karaoke in Japan!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>We journeyed together, through our various Well Connected business ventures culminating in a business we coined as "Well Connected Life" and even received the accolade of Investors in People award which I believe exactly described what we did... invest in people!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMaud0uEV-S5ZOmP6QZPKluA1tpG8lguJUrtoRRFBappVXpnW2slR14O5KKg9u5_j1owLDj8dbnredfH1wrBzxXyc6eWRiN9VC76Nw1F2DdPuoMpfeRF1B0Hdu5v0ydMsSKgEtVdlMELWfaeNQy5bRAF8Wt1Be1SRkqZRb71PK3r2dPyqt4k5qd_6/s320/Investors%20in%20People.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">receiving our award<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I have been retired from the business "walk" of life for over 10 years and Grainne moved over to the east and a complete change of employment within Edinburgh public services. However we have stayed in touch, regularly phoning each other and visiting each other's homes. </p><p>We don't see the distance between east and west as a barrier, and recognise that "staying well connected" is what we all need to do at this time...</p><p>Buon compleanno Grainne!</p><p>p.s. if you want to hear more about our adventures, drop me a line/email me and I will share those that I can....<br /></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-84214002913981345222022-03-22T09:31:00.001-07:002022-03-23T05:32:25.410-07:00Joy and sorrow<p>Wasn't even sure I wanted to write a blog this month! </p><p>There is so much going on globally that it is difficult to write an upbeat blog when the war in Ukraine is in its third week. The Ukrainian people are subjected to such atrocious inhumane actions that we are shocked from self-centredness to reaching out to others in anyway we can.<br /></p><p>... and make us question the sanity of governments both home and abroad!</p><p>However I decided that apart from putting my hand in my pocket and meditating on a cosmic fog descending on the Russian troops, my best option was to share where my joy was coming from, even in the midst of the catastrophic sorrow, we all must be feeling just now.</p><p>Rosie and her mum, Lianne came visiting from Canada.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcNzelm3uymdQY5FKF_DyJIs10sNXiXG7Ne0Fv_G1xX2biwbklJLCOoZyrhheVqaQ-geWqqHbW3jpWSaZgUBkPaB86jfJnW1BT996L7Kl8FT0kavR3ATVH1a7NJkECaaSPf1_UUV5Wte0eIa40V8Nj7PPybkBFgiB12XSYeBqrh4kdnKOIY_b2YII/s640/MUMMY%20AND%20ROSIE.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcNzelm3uymdQY5FKF_DyJIs10sNXiXG7Ne0Fv_G1xX2biwbklJLCOoZyrhheVqaQ-geWqqHbW3jpWSaZgUBkPaB86jfJnW1BT996L7Kl8FT0kavR3ATVH1a7NJkECaaSPf1_UUV5Wte0eIa40V8Nj7PPybkBFgiB12XSYeBqrh4kdnKOIY_b2YII/s320/MUMMY%20AND%20ROSIE.jpg"/></a></div>
We have a granddaughter who is full of life and determination. A joy to behold and a treasure to hold and brings her own unique style to whatever she is doing. </p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSroFRdha1lAx0mwpkWgcvx1a2ybS8P9NI1NfE15tdM6HMD0L4ncaNDt40owyMaTKjnMGu31N5ld0FyYx8MF7poXScwMQDpobo3-qyXMVuK63HLX6oFUvxailahPhLX-s6Nd5UJcW79e2oQgUHr_wNWhUmLw1EliR3i8RdXCA2QwwSLV6miVvGQZK/s2048/on%20the%20train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSroFRdha1lAx0mwpkWgcvx1a2ybS8P9NI1NfE15tdM6HMD0L4ncaNDt40owyMaTKjnMGu31N5ld0FyYx8MF7poXScwMQDpobo3-qyXMVuK63HLX6oFUvxailahPhLX-s6Nd5UJcW79e2oQgUHr_wNWhUmLw1EliR3i8RdXCA2QwwSLV6miVvGQZK/s320/on%20the%20train.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the train<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WA1WrMr0OcPlzuLaxJ3e_i9z6qjHFsqZTtgGc7sIoPiPGm-pmTjqi2Pw4igQ0h_BzrzZvkfvlE-rf6U2a4zzYuYSNswAwL01DtG4hzpF82bIYy9tMORjd48RppXoyWzHepEjwyqxDXt9_oTjMLHIbZkvtoXAwBxtpUN2nq0TpB8xtYUp_Hu_s6Jn/s1600/at%20the%20beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WA1WrMr0OcPlzuLaxJ3e_i9z6qjHFsqZTtgGc7sIoPiPGm-pmTjqi2Pw4igQ0h_BzrzZvkfvlE-rf6U2a4zzYuYSNswAwL01DtG4hzpF82bIYy9tMORjd48RppXoyWzHepEjwyqxDXt9_oTjMLHIbZkvtoXAwBxtpUN2nq0TpB8xtYUp_Hu_s6Jn/s320/at%20the%20beach.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beach, in the rain.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><br /><br /><p> </p><p><br /> </p><p> <br /><br /></p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCppAPlmpFnkckICy2MCE0QbnQvNopiqNyq7SjDPYTjBncsTl9DBnkhQfS-L1Zvu4QD12fy_suqFypCKSDWYMlTg68IDp1G1qZONuL3dze4CXbXnkgIQcl0qzGyagpihuls4tsRfDgyQYixqf1eYBnMqrV4cDdpd09WCfVFenuoQ-cm7yqRj2QDqea/s640/dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCppAPlmpFnkckICy2MCE0QbnQvNopiqNyq7SjDPYTjBncsTl9DBnkhQfS-L1Zvu4QD12fy_suqFypCKSDWYMlTg68IDp1G1qZONuL3dze4CXbXnkgIQcl0qzGyagpihuls4tsRfDgyQYixqf1eYBnMqrV4cDdpd09WCfVFenuoQ-cm7yqRj2QDqea/s320/dancing.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the park, in the sunshine</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicH7GrcGghdxCxfr02tMuDyvolGSBIa8PjJgUm3ZJFWuhBnqDzZkbUy_Pba1hALmhTV-Ld4xQFIaPTaQBg7d8fXQvD6h0tr_2QKTKnOKT6BCenmqBXzWUHalGf9-nZrwwMW90s_RuM32EEC_49G6gINlsDOuI2qvhiFiqXVm54xualMu-Fm6wvVGI1/s1024/a%20winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicH7GrcGghdxCxfr02tMuDyvolGSBIa8PjJgUm3ZJFWuhBnqDzZkbUy_Pba1hALmhTV-Ld4xQFIaPTaQBg7d8fXQvD6h0tr_2QKTKnOKT6BCenmqBXzWUHalGf9-nZrwwMW90s_RuM32EEC_49G6gINlsDOuI2qvhiFiqXVm54xualMu-Fm6wvVGI1/s320/a%20winner.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><br /><p><br /></p><p>Thank you Rosie for bringing so much joy...<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I am not sure what Europe will be like in a month's time. but I am sure that sharing love and joy needs to be a daily commitment to all our children.<br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956158868160159804.post-15562327080768057412022-02-21T11:51:00.003-08:002022-04-25T07:08:02.069-07:00After the storm<p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgndgcj-rQGOE1xeoxhx2BkI_hUMrgz1kkbn8gYmQfZ1X9CGhtdeUXKmCA38WuHHCclRApdRyTmsLv4yAvYlenuIIOpAA-KuvaAlEXT5c1pHNemJ8ECBWfWDliMucyo77FhgcmPxx2CBiFABfbjIMFEUJubMbWqmYaVjo90gmXs0pW6edKBVG0F1L0T=s640" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgndgcj-rQGOE1xeoxhx2BkI_hUMrgz1kkbn8gYmQfZ1X9CGhtdeUXKmCA38WuHHCclRApdRyTmsLv4yAvYlenuIIOpAA-KuvaAlEXT5c1pHNemJ8ECBWfWDliMucyo77FhgcmPxx2CBiFABfbjIMFEUJubMbWqmYaVjo90gmXs0pW6edKBVG0F1L0T=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irvine beach<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We had a visit from Dudley, Eunice and then Franklin. Every one of them left a mark. But then that is what storms do...</p><p>Enjoying the convenience of our car, recently returned from the mechanic's ministrations, Andy and I decided to go for a drive and visit Irvine beach. <br /></p><p>Once there, we decided to go for a blustery walk, as the wind was still strong, although gratefully not the gale force wind of the weekend. </p><p>We were well wrapped up and delighted to be out and about after the weekend's inclement weather, when no sane person would have ventured out! <br /></p><p> There was certainly much debris around. Evidence of the effect of the stormy weather of gales, squalls, high tides and torrential rain that started last week and lasted through until this week....<br /></p><p>
...
but for all of us who ventured out today, you can see by the photo, that the fabulous beach was well worth the visit.</p><p> </p><p> Today's sunshine may well be just a hiatus, but it was so good to blow the cobwebs away and get to appreciate the calm after the storm.</p><p>There are many different ways of lifting spirits. From a bracing walk to the yoga pratice of meditation and the many mental health offerings, in between.</p><p>So many philosophers have inspired me and their wisdom has always helped my mental health. They are the best way for me to blow away any persistant, negative mental cobwebs!</p><p>Philosophers like Lao Tzu and the Tao way of living, Snoopy and the Peanuts gangs with their unique look on life and a firm favourite, actress, Maggie Smith whose words of wisdom always make me smile. Who would not relate to her comment: <b><i>" My dear, I don't give advice, I only have opinions!"</i></b></p><p><b><i>Isn't that true of us all! <br /></i></b></p><p>Another philosopher I return to often, is Marcus Aurelius. A Roman Emperor who nearly two thousand years ago coped with stress beyond our understanding, and that is even taking the modern pandemic into consideration. </p><p>For Marcus, there were plots, feuds, insurrections and threats of invasion as well as great triumphs, plans for public works... while meeting the mighty challenges of defending the Roman Empire. </p><p>In the midst of all of this he managed to write his famous "Meditations", a treatise on living well.</p><p>It is a wonderful gift to us on how to weather whatever current storm we are facing... but also how to best appreciate the good times in between the storms!</p><p>Leaving you with a quote that shows that Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Dame Maggie Smith are definitely on the same page...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO1LytB9APjOm7GXhhsTPSTZNiRM19BYApKB-QSNwiG7arjaH2YzcvSpz1Nh6YA8XP7u5dqXdjv4RSMQIJdvUCSIa19MBaGlku2p6ckEheGa-xjZ9mF6LSyQ6_yszVOfS-r1y7DrTc6cHiQet89H3gSH1x3QaX-Fj50ZZqT7SII1CWoAmlkiMlxRJf=s265" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="265" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO1LytB9APjOm7GXhhsTPSTZNiRM19BYApKB-QSNwiG7arjaH2YzcvSpz1Nh6YA8XP7u5dqXdjv4RSMQIJdvUCSIa19MBaGlku2p6ckEheGa-xjZ9mF6LSyQ6_yszVOfS-r1y7DrTc6cHiQet89H3gSH1x3QaX-Fj50ZZqT7SII1CWoAmlkiMlxRJf=w320-h191" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eileen Auldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087137618829661295noreply@blogger.com0