So the previous few weeks have been rough. Just a lot of unexpected things have happened, lots of worrying, it’s just been a lot. So this week I have been taking it a little slow. Slow mornings, homeschooling, setting things back to right, unrushed as much as I can. I mean, things have upset the proverbial apple cart this week, things that had me sitting in the middle of my hallway crying while my cat Maggie sat next to me with feline concern. But 24 hours later, things were already starting to turn around.
But these small blips were just that – blips. The weather has been nicer, and Wyatt and I have been able to get outside this week during the day, which has been so good, just to feel the warm sun on our faces again. I saw an early butterfly flying about yesterday, and I have heard the red-winged blackbirds singing in the reeds along the river, a sure sign of spring.
I haven’t read much, blogged much, even taken many photos. I’ve been soaking up the time with my family this week, processing. I needed some time away from extras this week, and it was just what I needed.
Last night I even got together with two of my friends for a ladies night wine night catch up. I sent out the bat signal and they responded. My friend Kelly’s husband is sick, he has an upper respiratory something or other (he’s had a few COVID tests and all have been negative) so we sat outside, in the early spring cold. We were all shivering, hiding our hands inside our sleeves, putting up our hoods, drinking our wine, sharing our stories. It seems like we have all been having a time of it, with really hard things happening, and we needed that time together. We started off commiserating and encouraging each other, and by the end of the evening despite being pretty darn cold we were laughing. It has been too long since we have hung out and been together in person and I needed my friends, and they apparently needed it too.
When I got home, I felt refreshed, finally. My guys were watching tv in bed together, and I joined them, getting under the covers to try to warm up. And today is St. Patrick’s Day! Later I am picking up a corned beef shepherds pie from a local restaurant, which comes with an apple salad, Irish Soda Bread, and Guinness Chocolate cake. It feeds four so we will share dinner tonight with my mom and I am looking forward to it. I don’t know what else Wyatt and I will do with our day, as I didn’t prepare much for the holiday as I was in a quiet place this week, but I will think of something fun.
And here is an oft-repeated Irish blessing for you today ~
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs.. 
So glad things are picking up, and that Shepherd’s Pie sounds so delicious! I just had a molar extracted yesterday, so no good food for me for a few days! Soup, yogurt, and applesauce. LOL
Enjoy!
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It was really good! Everything was delicious, but most of all the cupcakes. Lol. And oh no!! We just went through that diet with Billy last week! I hope you feel better soon! He enjoyed instant mashed potatoes. 🙂
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It’s that whole put on your own oxygen mask first thing, isn’t it? We sometimes get so caught up in taking care of others we forget to take care of ourselves…not anything new or amazing…but I think we simply forget how important it is. I’m so glad you have a group of friends to let go and breathe with. That’s so important.
Have a fabulous weekend! My daffodils are blooming!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Yes! So very true! I had to take some time to do just that. 🙂 And yes, they are wonderful women – I am so thankful they are in my life!
Ooo!! I keep looking to see if we have any of our bulbs coming up yet but so far nothing. Hopefully soon!
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I’m sorry the past few weeks have been rough, but I’m glad you have your girlfriends to lean on. I am so blessed to have three dear “besties” that I see at least once a week (we play Mah Jong on Fridays), which has helped to keep all four of us sane during the past two years of the pandemic. These type of friendships are so precious and important, aren’t they? I hope the coming week is much better for you, Erin.
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My little group and I need to make time to see each other more often. Maybe now that the weather is getting nicer we will be able to. We have a little group of four too! And they really are – I don’t know what I would do without them!
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I hope you’re feeling better now! It’s awesome that you got to meet up with friends. All my friends live in other states, so I haven’t seen them in years.
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Thanks AJ! And that is a bummer!!! Maybe this summer there will be a better chance to visit them?
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I’m sorry things have been rough and glad you have your friends to help you get through it. A dear friend of mine who is very vulnerable health-wise has Covid and I’ve been devastated and trying to help where I can. Today, I did some shopping for her and her parents, after parkrun, as I am only a mile from her when I’m over there. One woman friend from the parkrun core team helped me navigate the unfamiiiar store to get the stuff I needed while her daughter bought me a coffee and then she and her husband drove me to my friend’s, waited while I dropped the stuff off and drove me all the way home rather than just to the bus interchange – so heartwarming!
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Oh no!! I am so sorry to hear that Liz! I hope that she is starting to feel better. That sounds like such a wonderful way to work together for good and friends! That really is heartwarming.
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I’m behind here. I’m sorry you had such a previous, rough week, but I’m happy to read that you were able to do things this week to decompress and had great support.
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