It's 4 am and I'm procrastinating

Well it's 4:11 am and I am procrastinating as usual. I should be working on an essay thats due in 5 hours but instead I'm going to blog about out mid week trip to Wales

So Matt and I travelled to Wales on Tuesday morning for the westlife concert in Cardiff that evening. The tickets for the concert and our flights over were a Christmas gift from my wonderful in-laws(well not quite yet my in-laws but you get the jist). It was Matts first concert and I had kinda of been in the mind set that I had out grown westlife. But shut the door was I wrong. We both had a wail of a time...

(Matt and I before the concert)

Westlife were wonderfully entertaining and they brought me right back to my childhood. They sang all there golden oldies aswell as doing a fantastic mash up of like lady gaga and coldplay etc. Really enjoyable night. Even the most synical of Westlife's fans(ie Matt) really enjoyed it. The set and the lights etc were absolutely jaw dropping at times

I'm so thankful to Matt's mum and dad for the experience.

So we were both due to fly back on Wednesday but Matt was blessed enough to get a ticket to the rugby (Wales V Ireland in the six nations)on Saturday so he stayed till Sunday and I came home alone.. I was so so happy for him but the appartments a little lonely without him... and frankly cooking for one aint much fun.

Now in all reality I need to get back to Montessori land and Get this essay done, it is due in 4 and a half hours.

blogging has gone mobile

I plan to blog more often and to get more involved in the community so mobile blogging is going to be a massive help where that's concerned... So away we go...

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

New Year New Begining

Well I have been out of commission since July of this year, Shameful I know.. But unfortunately after the move from my parents house my laptop died a slow and painful death and of course there was also the small fact that of Internet or the lack there of for the past five months. We had decided that broadband was a luxury we could live without. So even if I had the time and the will power to blog I didn't have to facilities.

But here I am it's December the 31st 2010. The end of another year and thanks to Christmas and my wonderful Matthew I am one laptop and one broadband dongle better off...So now I can attempt to blog again.. (attempt being the operative word here ha ha).

When I was thinking about the up coming new year I thought of New beginning's, of 2nd chances and so I stumbled back to this place. I'm not a fan of resolutions, purely because I never manage to keep them. But I do feel that a New year is an oppurtunity for a another chance it's a time for change to me. To reasses, reevaluate and make the changes you think and feel you need too.

So watch this space!!!!

living in the aftermath of a brain tumour!

As a close knit family we knew there was something wrong with my father when he couldnt remember his only grandsons name! and later on that week he forgot his own phone number! we were all worry and encouraged him to go to a doctor! the doctor put it down to anxiety but we all pushed anyway for an mri and thank god we did! my father had a brain tumour and we had caught it earlyish!! we went to public doctors who all said they could not be certain when they could remove it etc etc and gave excuse after excuse but with each minute that passed this tumour was growing! so we decided it was time to go private!! we did and within 4 weeks my dad had been operated on they had removed the tumour and were ready to begin radium and cheomothearapy!its been a very long hard slogg for my dad but his memory is getting better everyday and hes getting back to normal appart from having to go the hospital everyday for treatment!

It was such a devestating blow that hit our family at first, but it's actually brought us all closer together and we see light at the end of the tunnel!

were now hoping and praying and waiting on the test result and the mri scan to let us know how all of this is going!! so fingers crossed(gosh do u know how hard it is to type with your fingers crossed!! lol) only kidding. but i thought i just needed to tell why i havent been writing lately!!


This is a picture of my mother and father my sister and brother and I recently at my sisters 30th birthday!!

21 things to do before I turn 21

Ok I need help here people I'm turning 21 on the 7th of August this year and I want to draw up a list of thing to do before I turn 21!!!

So heres the list so far!

1. Buy and eat expensive french macaroons!!

2. Go on a boat trip!

3. Cook or bake 15 new receipes

4. Sew 3 projects

5. Tell 21 people that I love how I feel about them!

6. Watch the sunrise and set at least once and appreciate all it's beauty

7. Taste 21 different wines

I'm still very much looking for suggestions to add to my list!! Although I have started working on the ones I have so far!!!

All suggestions welcomed! So please help,

thanks you!

La Grá (with love in irish)
Jenni!

Our trip to wales

It was 4 am on a warm summers night the sun was begining to rise and the buzzer for our front door went, our taxi had arrived! I due to a cocktail of alcohol and excitment hadn't slept the night before but antisipation spurred me on! The taxi man was a bit of a crazy man, he hit a seagull, his car was on it's way out (which he admitted to us on arriving at the airport) and he charged us far too much for the journey but I did not care, because I was getting away from Ireland and reality for a few days!!

We landed in Bristol and were met by Matt's dad Pete met us at the airport we then drove the 55 minute drive to my hubby's family home!! The wet was full of family time with the inlaws!

We went to Barry island where my favourite show Gavin and Stacey is filmed
we had an icecream in marcos

we spent time by the seaside and we played at nessa's slots!




and we all had a great time!

We also went to Cardiff bay it's my favourite spot on a sunny day!






But the highlight of my week was seeing our friends Hellene and Adam (aka Chiv)and there beautiful little girl Gabby!
We all celebrated Hell's 20th birthday


I got Hell a beautiful necklace from vintage pearl. It's called a cup of love and I got Gabby's name on it so she'll always have A bit of Gabby with her!
We had a wonderful dinner and a gorgeous cake and a gut full of wine!! And the best bit is I got to spend time with Gabby aswell who I havent seen since the day after she was born



heres some pics of her now she's so beautiful and playful and just a dote




So all in all it was a wonderful week!!

Hair is normal lookint again!!

Well 2 days 3 dyes and 20 pound sterling later my hair is looking acceptable again!!!

What you think??

(Me down at Barry island South Wales where the tv show 'Gavin and Stacey' is filmed)

Have I made a huge mistake??

I decided yesterday to while staying with the in laws this week I was going to dye my hair!! So while in asda I browsed and picked up Clairol perfect 10 hair colour in 6R Light auburn!

So It is in and washed out and I think Ive made a huge Mistake!!!

Jenn
XXX

Easiest Cookie recipe!!!

.

225 grams/8 ounces Butter(softened)
110 grams/3.8( 4) ounces Caster Sugar
275 grams/9.8(10) ounces Plain Flour
chocolate cut into chunks or chips

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F), Gas Mark 3.
2. Cream the butter in a large bowl or in a food mixer until soft.
3. Add the sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Sift in the flour, add the chocolate and bring the mixture together to form a dough by hand.
5. Using your hands, roll the dough into balls and place them slightly apart on a baking tray (no need to grease or line)
6. Flatten them slightly bake in the oven for 13–15 minutes or until they are light golden brown and slightly firm on top.
7. Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.


AND BON APPETIT!!!

Happy baking!!

Jenn!
X X X

Recipe is a Rachel Allen recipe which I fell in love with and cant stop making!

Saturday stroll around our new village!

Saturday afternoon came and I decided to go for a stroll to accquint myself with the neighbourhood a little better! I found my new church (well it didnt take much finding it's literally a stones throw away from home)


I also found the seafront less than 5 mins walk away



So then my hubby got home from work and joined me on my stroll and we went down toward all the fish mongers to get some fresh fish for dinner!! on the way we passed the lifeboat and the memorial for those lost at sea



and then we got cod for dinner and fed the seals!



We then took a moment to admire the view and headed home for a curry and a few beers with sundays dinner in tow!!

All moved In!! (and a thank you to 'huge love')

Well it's been too long since I've written anything but the week so far has been a bit hectic between moving all our stuff and going back to work!!

We started our move at 11 on Monday morning and I was still cleaning the apartment last night!! So it's been a long road! But I'm truly happier than ever before in our new home!!

our first meal together in our new place was a very adventurous sausage and egg! Yes really I'm not even kidding! This self professed culinary genius allowed her hubby to cook a breakfast as my dinner, how funny!


(and in case your wondering yes that is orange juice were having with our dinner!!)

A wonderful inspirational blogger Tiffany Johnson who you can find at Huge Love was kind enough to share this with me

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future"

and it made me think of how often I've doubted the Lord and his plans for me! The Hubby and I have not always had it easy, we were in a long distance relationship for quite along time before he found the money and courage to move his entire life across the Irish sea from Pontypool, south Wales to Dublin, Ireland! He had found a job and came here with a car full of his old life and his past to live his future! He had been here 3 months when he was unfairly dismissed from his job and we lost everything he had to give up his apartment and our lives! We moved it with my parents and Have been with them till now a year and a half of living with my parents watching what we did and said and penny pinching to get out of there as quickly as possible!!

I spent too much of this time looking on the negative I often thought why us Lord what have we done to deserve this?? But now I see the lord was bringing us closer together and was really just making us stronger!! It may not have felt it while we were shedding tears and arguing but we could handle it and I now know The Lord knew that it's all part of his master plan for us!! I am truly seeing hope and our future now!!

So thank you Tiffany your a wonderful person and you always seem to have the right words!

I want to share with you all our new house motto's (plural cause we couldn't make up our minds just yet!)

option 1:
May this home be blessed with the laughter of children,
the warmth of a close family,
hope for the future
and fond memories of the past

option 2:
In our house we do second chances
we say prayers
we do I'm sorrys
we play hard
and we do loud really well

option 3:
May our home know joy
may each room hold laughter and
may every window open a great possibility

cast your votes now!! lol

O and if you've any other suggestions please toss them my way!!

and Finally I want to say something I've really realise in this past week, having somewhere to go is home, having someone to love is family, having both is the ultimate blessing!!

wishing you all every health and happiness in your home, wherever it may be,

Jenn
xx

The big move!!

So myself and my other half are moving in 6 days! we're due to move monday the 10th of may to Howth! I am so over excited were moving from my mom's spare room to a wonderful little appartment in a fishing village on the northside of Dublin bay! Amoung the residents of Howth throughout the centuaries is:

*W.b. Yeats My all time favourite poet!
*legendary broadcaster Gay Byrne
*Booker Prize-winning novelist John Banville
*U2 drummer Larry Mullen
*Senator and retail pioneer Fergal Quinn
*musicians Barney McKenna and John Sheahan of The Dubliners
*Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries.
*Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy lived in Howth for a time.
*Actor Stuart Townsend was born in Howth.
*Author and philosopher Robert Anton Wilson resided there for six years in 1980s.
*Multiple Eurovision Song Contest winner Johnny Logan and his famous tenor father Patrick O'Hagan lived for many years in Howth.
*Lynn Redgrave and husband John Clark raised their family there in the early 1970s.
*Composer Brian Boydell was born in Howth and returned as an adult to live there with his family. *Producer and Director team Moya Doherty and John McColgan of Riverdance live with their family nearHowth Summit.

So we'll be in good company anyway lol



I will post pictures of the appartment before we put our stamp on it and after!!

But for now I thought pictures of packing would be called for!!




The hubby in my sports bra!!

Introductions

Well It's only right that I introduce myself, this is me:



I'm Jenn and I'm 21 as it stands my weight is at:



Weight has always been an issue for me!! For as long as I can remember I've been overweight and I have tried numerous times to deal with this issue but I have given up to easily each and every time I've tried. But I have realised that it was the hard work I was affraid of!! But NOTHING IN LIFE COMES EASY! so this time round when the going gets tough I intend on getting tough along with it!!

A massive part of my life I haven't introduced to you yet is my family:

this is my momma and pappa, my sis(Sarah)me and my brother(Rob) and my wonderful niece and nephew (Jack and Kate)






and last but definately not least is my future matthew or matt or even matty, he is my world he's the man I love, adore, wanna marry and make babies with!! He is the most wonderful thing in my life he knows how to make me snap and even more than that he knows how to make me smile!! He did the most selfless and admirable thing on our anniversary 2 years ago when he moved to dublin to be with me!! So here we are me and the love of my life with his wonderful parents: