Hoots Mon!

As you know it was the Highland Games weekend and from Friday morning through to the firework finale the town just bubbled with excitement, enthusiasm and camaraderie. Below l have linked to quite a few short videos (on my other site) so that you can hear the bagpipes and get a gist of what the atmosphere was like. I was thinking of you all as l took the photographs and videos.

HERE is a pic of Sam in Highland hat as a wee laddie :)

One slideshow below is of the people gathering to watch the bands make their final walk down from the park. This last parade though the town is always the highlight for me as you get to see the shields/trophies and also the lighter spirits of the band members after competition. At this point l got kissed (slobbered over) by the big man dressed in drag much to the amusement of the crowd- you can see him wearing his long black wig on the first slideshow help!- he left me covered in lipstick! The other slideshow has some of the bands marching past just before the firework display.

I got home late last night from the big trip into the city with my son 'D' and all his stuff- he has now moved into his apartment for his second year at university. I will post more pictures of that later. I dropped by to see my Dad as well on route so was a bit sad leaving them both.

Our car is also in the garage today getting a full-service so l’m watching the clock here so that l can pick it up before they close.

So much to do these days and just not enough time! I am missing checking in with you all but will ASAP. Thanks always for taking the time to drop by. Hope you’re all keeping well.

LINK- Early Morning

LINK- S has a bounce

LINK - Bonny Highland Lassie

LINK- Hokey Kokey

LINK- Fancy Footwork

LINK- We will rock you

LINK- Quick March!

LINK- Quick March two!

Highland Games Day

Just a quick post here today as it's the Highland Games in our wee town. This Highland Gathering is the largest in the world with pipe bands and dancers coming from many different countries- over 150 bands at least! I can hear the pipe music as l type here so want to get out soon and enjoy the day. It is hard to believe that a year has passed since my sister from Australia was over visiting- l remember all of us huddled under a giant umbrella laughing with the kids as the bands went by. That old slideshow of us is HERE- miss you all Sis!!

This past week I have been with two dear friends, each with one of their children in the hospital (planned surgeries). Wee N (age 3) had Palate surgery on Wednesday and M (age 7) had her Eye surgery yesterday. Both children are doing well and were really brave but it is always difficult to see wee ones having to go into hospital.

On Thursday night we went to a neighbouring village Gala. The weather was very warm for this area and it seemed that everyone came out to enjoy the evening’s events- music, dancing etc. Wee S enjoyed himself immensely as you can see from the pictures below. He met up with some of his best pals from school and had a brilliant time.

My sister-in-law worked one of the stalls. You can see her on one of the pictures wearing a T-shirt that says, 'Stop the Traffik'. You can read more about human trafficking HERE. We signed her petition of course.

Well it’s Saturday already and sadly a bit drizzly this morning- sunshine going to break through by midday. The pipe bands might get soaked and you know what they say, "heavy kilts and heavy drinking makes for strange bagpipe music!"

The glass is still half full

For dinner on Saturday night we used vegetables from the garden. Although l don’t have a big veg. plot you have to admit that THAT courgette was a whopper! Hubby did them diced and hot fried in butter with fresh mint leaves from his 'mint from Cornwall' tub he keeps in the garden. Little tomatoes from my wee plot baked in the oven with grated Parmesan. He is a man of few words sure - but big moments when I need some TLC.

My wee nephew, Sorley (isn't he a sweetheart) was Dedicated at church on Sunday - his mum and dad took part in the service which added a nice touch. Afterwards all the family and friends were treated to lunch at a local restaurant. Sitting there as a family, having a few giggles and just being together, well, l didn't take it for granted.

We bought a nearly new car just before S started school and sold our old one the same day! G got attached to the old car ('Faith' by name!) and so it was sad to see it/her go but it is being used for Outward Bound work with young people so being well employed. New car is smooth, quiet, all the electrickery, CD player, computer and very roomy. No reassuring aches, rattles, thuds, grinding noises or squeals. Very spooky.

Went for a quick paced two-mile walk along the Prom. with a good friend this morning- the weather was just perfect and we had a good old natter together- therapeutic for us both! Photo was taken Friday evening from the same Promenade.

Over the weekend l got the front garden cleaned up a bit while hubby cut the grass so now it's all looking much better. Afterwards we went out for a Guinness - velvety smooth and so refreshing after the work!

Best Guinness G says is in Ireland but this one went down pretty quick and well. When G went to Dublin he went to the Guinness factory for the tour around and included samples. Afterwards, outside, when they were waiting for a taxi he chatted to an old tramp with a horse and cart. The taxi driver laughed and said it was the old man Guinness - family owner - who often did that to find out what people really thought of the place. Truth or Blarney?

And last, but certainly not least… l feel blessed with the best group of friends on Blogger! Thank you for your kind and supportive comments.

Empty-nest syndrome

It’s a dreary Saturday afternoon here in Scotland; doesn’t look like the rain will stop anytime soon either- just drizzling away. My first post back was yesterday, a wee post on our son, S starting school and what a good time he’s having there. What l didn’t really tell you was how l’ve been feeling lately. It’s not just about the wee one going to school but has to do with my older two, D & M leaving for UNI. in September. I think some call it Empty-nest syndrome. You can read more about it HERE.

I knew it was coming, all summer l have been helping them gather bits and pieces for their year ahead; things like laundry hampers, bed sheets, files and dustpans- all the things you need to be organised and ready for life as a student. Anyway as l said l’ve known it was coming, last year l had the worries with Daniel and the coming to grips with him being on his own but l knew he’d be back for summer and that made things a bit easier. This time they both leave for all twelve months of the year, M with her nursing and placements and D because he has rented a flat with friends for the full year- a double whammy. They will both be living and working in the city and l really hope they find time to meet up together and support each other. I’ll miss them.

This summer l ‘shelved’ the thought of them going, put it somewhere out of reach so l didn’t have to think of it and what it meant. However with Sam going to school this past week it seemed like a bracket fell from wall and the shelf came down. All week l’ve been weeping at the least little thing- it doesn’t take much either and l can’t really explain why. I just feel bereft, as if l’ve lost something. All my life has been spent raising my kids and now their going out to make their own way- not wee S yet and l am so glad he’s still at home- but it’s a bit hard at the moment.

l’m remaining focused but thought l’d put my feelings out there in case anyone else was feeling or had ever felt the same. I’m a bit unusual in the sense that my children have such an age gap but l feel sure that there must be other women out there who can relate to this.

On Monday l’m going to go for a job interview locally- just a small part time thing just now while S adjusts to school and then come his full days, who knows. I need some focus and a bit of time to find myself.

LOL- laughing at myself here while having another wee greet(cry) again.

On a more upbeat note Merle over at Third Try recently gave me the Nice Matters Award. Under the circumstances you have to smile but a big hug and heartfelt thanks to Merle for this all the same- a bit of sunshine at the moment is most welcome. This award has to be passed on to eight others. I’ve tried to be fair and to give this award to Bloggers who have not already had it. So here goes, in no particular order... 1. Sorlil (Parenting in Progress) 2. Tammy (My Gentle Retreat) 3. Sue (Susie’s Space) 4. Kerri (Colours of the Garden) 5. Claire (Claire’s Garden) 6. Snow White (The Funny Bone) 7. Sharon (Amelia Rose Cottage) 8. Susan (Celadon Pool Two)

Time for school

Our wee S started school 'Primary 1' this past week. He goes to school in the morning only until October and then it's full time. He is adjusting to it all really well and has already had homework to hand in - of which he is really proud. S is hungry for learning and it is wonderful to see him embrace this new beginning.

After school today we're going to the swimming pool- l might just make this our Friday afternoon routine.

Between my older two leaving for university in September and S having just started school things feel a bit strange for me at the moment. These past few weeks have passed in a blur. Thanks to you all for the kind comments.

Bests.

First Day at School by Roger McGough

A millionbillionwillion miles from home

Waiting for the bell to go. (To go where?)

Why are they all so big, other children?

So noisy? So much at home they

Must have been born in uniform

Lived all their lives in playgrounds

Spent the years inventing games

That don't let me in. Games

That are rough, that swallow you up.

And the railings.

All around, the railings.

Are they to keep out wolves and monsters?

Things that carry off and eat children?

Things you don't take sweets from?

Perhaps they're to stop us getting out

Running away from the lessins. Lessin.

What does a lessin look like?

Sounds small and slimy.

They keep them in the glassrooms.

Whole rooms made out of glass. Imagine.

I wish I could remember my name

Mummy said it would come in useful.

Like wellies. When there's puddles.

Yellowwellies. I wish she was here.

I think my name is sewn on somewhere

Perhaps the teacher will read it for me.

Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea.