Sunday Funday

*First of all, thank you for all the lovely comments on my last post about the very rude woman I encountered. Believe me, I wanted nothing better than to tell her off, but after I let myself cool down I remembered that everyone is dealing with issues or fighting a personal battle. So instead I said a little prayer that she sorts herself out.

Now, on to Sunday Funday! Yesterday when JDS got back from his second home (6th floor of the Arts Block at Trinity College). Liam had just woken up from his nap and had lunch so we were ready to head to Peoples' Park in Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun-Leary for my non-Irish readers) for the Dublin Bay Taste and Music Fest. It had been raining on and off all day summer, but you can't let that stop you from getting out of the house when you live in Dublin!

We arrived by DART (about a 15 minute ride) and it promptly started to rain. We hung out in the station until it stopped (in about 5 minutes). The park looked absolutely gorgeous and was packed. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Several well known restaurants had stands under this tent.

Lots of very tasty options! 

I tried the slow-roasted pork belly with apple chutney from 

Nosh. It was fantastic!

Liam enjoyed dancing to the music, we caught the 

Blues show, which was pretty good.

Getting shelter under a big tree from the rain!

We took a stroll down Dun Laoghaire Pier when we were ready

to leave. Lovely views here.

Another great family day out :-) We'll miss this place.

Good vs. Evil

It was raining pretty heavily outside and I was enjoying a coffee and a book in a cozy cafe in town (by myself!). Diagonally across the table from me a woman who looked to be in her 60s was sipping coffee, reading a book as well. The rest of the cafe was packed with people taking cover from the crummy weather outside.

I noticed a couple trying to find seats and I thought if I move across from the woman (whose backpack was occupying the seat) I could let the two share the table where I was. So, I got up and said to the couple and the older woman, gesturing at the chair, "if I move here, you can take this table."

Surprisingly the woman had a scowl on her face, she said: "I paid to have my coffee here this is my seat" (the seat her backpack was in). She continued, "You got your coffee to go, why don't you leave?" While our coffees were indeed in to-go cups there is no price difference at this shop whether you are staying or taking- away. I always get my drink to go just in case I don't finish it and want to leave! The girl of the pair stated that they intended to stay in as well, but the woman reiterated that we could "just leave" and that was the end of the conversation - the woman was not letting her bag be moved to let these people sit.

So the couple moved to look elsewhere, and I was so disturbed that I got up, saying, "I seems as though you need your space..." and found a seat on a stool overlooking Nassau Street, next to two older gentlemen. Embarrassingly, I found myself a bit choked up at the whole scene. I tried to get back into my book, but couldn't. I couldn't stop thinking about why that woman was so mean. Was she going though a hard time? Bitter at the world for the hand she'd been dealt? Annoyed with tourists? I ended up just feeling sorry for her. That kind of negativity is so poisonous.

A few minutes later the couple came up to me and thanked me for my kindness and apologized for the trouble. I told them it was not a bother, and that I was sorry they couldn't find a seat. They handed me a bag with two treats from the bakery inside and said they "hoped she hadn't upset me, not everyone in Dublin is like that." I smiled and said "I've been living here for three years and have never come across anyone that rude."

The rain had finally stopped and myself and the gentlemen sitting next to me decided to chance the weather and leave. We shared a laugh about the rain starting again in five minutes as they opened the door for me. I made sure to smile at the woman before I stepped outside.

Good: 2 Evil: 1

Good prevails.

Mama's Little Helper

Yesterday afternoon I was doing the dishes after lunch and Liam was bored of playing with pots and pans. I was nearly finished so I drained the water, filled the sink again, half way, and pulled a chair up so Liam could "help." He thought this was the greatest thing ever! I gave him a few plastic cups and bowls to "wash" and he had a grand old time. And also made a grand old mess. Oh well, at least it was a clean mess, if you know what I mean!

Free Polish!

Lately I haven't been splurging on my favorite glossies just to cut down on frivolous money suckers. But in this month's UK edition of (September '11) Marie Claire you score a free Ciaté Paint Pot in "My Fair Lady" or "Wait until Dark." Valued at £9 I couldn't pass it up!

Yes, I have a freckle on the inside of my hand. 

Weird, huh?

I really love this color! It reminds me a lot of Essie "Mademoiselle." And isn't the bottle the cutest? Normally I'd go for bright or super dark shades but I don't have time to keep up with color like that anymore so shades like this are my go-to now - much more forgiving! 

Now off to read the magazine while Liam naps (cleaning can wait!).

Zombie Mom

I think it goes without saying that new parents are sleep deprived. I also think that parents generally expect this in the beginning (though nothing truly prepares them for it!). Sure it's all we could talk about for months on end... Conversations would go like this:

Mom A: "How did little Sally sleep last night?"
Mom B: "Ugh, she woke at least 5 times, I'm wrecked!"
Mom A: "Oh you poor thing, I completely understand, Bobby woke at 2 and just wouldn't go back to sleep!"

So, conversations like this were pretty typical until about the babies got to be about 6-8 months old. Then one of two things happened. Either your baby had started sleeping though the night and you didn't want to jinx it or make anyone jealous, or your baby was still not sleeping thought the night and you just learned to deal with the sleep deprivation (and you were sick of talking about sleep all the time).

I'm one of the lucky ones who hasn't had a full night's sleep in well, 16 months (actually more than that - if you've ever been pregnant you know what sleep is like near the end). I think it's starting to take a toll. I look older and uglier than ever. My body constantly aches. I eat whatever's easy and within reach so my diet is crap. (Don't worry Liam eats like a king!) I crave sleep. I just want to lay in bed for two days straight - make that a week, it's my daydream!

Does anyone else have a toddler that's still waking at night? Let's break the silence!

Book Review: The Slap

I finished this book a few days ago and am still trying to decide how I feel about The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas. The plot revolves around a man who slapped a child who was not his own at a barbecue. The author gives you insight and stories of the people most effected by what happened: the child's mother and father, the hosts of the barbecue, and the teens who mind the child (who also attended the party). I felt the book was kind of depressing. I didn't really like any of the characters. It certainly highlights the fact that we're all human and make mistakes. Some realize those mistakes and try to rectify them and others willfully defend their actions. I don't recommend  the book if strong language makes you uncomfortable - it can get a little vulgar at times using the ugly c-word and every other swear word known to man. I got used to it after a while, but I have a friend who had to stop reading because it bothered her.

I do have to say it was an interesting read. But is this really an accurate depiction of the modern family? I'd say it's a bit extreme.

Would I recommend it? Yes. It is well written and the story itself is different enough to make you want to keep reading. Have you read it? What were your thoughts?

Sunday Funday

JDS has been burning the candle at both ends (and thus, so have I!) so though we're exhausted we are still trying to squeeze some fun in. Yesterday our very favorite park (yup, Herbert) celebrated it's centenary with a family fun day. So of course we went to join the festivities!

Someone wants to get out of the buggy!

A decorated Herbert Park

It was a gorgeous day and the park was filled with free activities for kids of all ages. There was a hot air balloon, rock climbing wall, fencing, karate, and for the littlest ones, lots of trucks, tunnels and giant connect four games.

Playing with the giant connect 4 

The local mini boat enthusiasts were there with their scale models, and there was a race on the pond (we didn't see Stuart Little, though!).

Cool boats with motors and remote controls!

Cute ice cream truck!

We manged to have a wonderful time without spending a dime. I love that! Happy 100 years Herbert Park!