7QT - Sociable Seven

1. After an enjoyable evening gab-fest last Saturday to celebrate a friend's birthday, I had to avoid running over an escaped calf on the road home and then chatted to my folks (who live next door) for a half-hour before finally wading home about half one. To this semi-hermit mama that was the latest night I'd had in eight months.

2. Sunday morning came far too quickly but I enjoyed a lovely breakfast with the boy before Sunday school (he was much braver this week and even answered some of questions) and church (our assistant minister played a fabulous clip about marriage). Coffee and biscuits after church was plenty sociable and I was able to help a friend who's a little newer to the church find some teenage babysitters to help her out.

3. In fact we had a sociable week which continued on Monday with some very last minute packing before travelling to Enniskillen (where I was born), for a couple of nights away. We would have been away to a sunny Spanish isle if this forgetful mama could locate her passport (oops). We called en route with a couple whose wedding we attended with a then eight-month-old James, mostly let's be honest to see their adorable newborn Anna (born on James' third birthday). She was such a cutie and J asked to hold her! Oh the adorableness, he so wants a little sister, or brother - he's not that fussy!

The hotel was lovely and the special offer we'd taken up of a half-price executive suite was fancy! We had a six-foot bed in a huge bedroom and a huge living room with a balcony accessible from both rooms with a great view over the main road. Okay so not a great view, unless you're three and obsessed by anything with wheels, in which case seeing a transporter with a land rover on it was the highlight of the trip! J had a travel cot for a bed with a sheet draped around the sides for the whole private sleep experience. As a bonus, the breakfasts were better than advertised with porridge (James), bacon and sausage baps (Daddy) and bacon sandwiches (Mama) to keep everyone happy.

4. Tuesday saw us catch up with an old Christian Endeavour bud of Hubs' and she spoiled J rotten with colouring pencils and books, a craft pack and cardboard-build-your-own-farm set. Alas rotten is also how I would describe his behaviour and my mood on Tuesday so ending the day with tea at a local pub (courtesy of my folks) lifted everyone's spirits.

5. Wednesday allowed us a visit to my ninety-year-old and thriving Nanna. She is still living alone in her own home and sharp as a tack. She delights in her great-grandbabies and it was lovely to watch her and James interact.

We made it home through the snow and my mama treated us to tea once again as we joined her and Daddy for the afternoon. Then this mama continued her surprisingly-busy-of-late social life with craft night at a friend's, during which I managed to salvage a pair of overly damaged shorts for J (a freebie along with a shirt I purchased at a charity shop) while being served homemade chocolate cake - yum! My friend then took in J's hi-vis jacket for me with her sewing machine since I'd sewed it roughly before Christmas but had taken it in too much for wearing over coats). Thanks Jy!

6. Thursday began with snowman building (Mo-vy, as named by James) closely followed by outfit changes and hot chocolate. Snow is a rare happening here in Northern Ireland so - yay!

Thursday was also a day of praying for/worrying about Hubs as he got his steroid injection in his arm to hopefully sort out the inflammation, pain and pins and needles and allow him back to work. It's feeling a bit better thank the Lord but only time will tell.

7. Friday saw us host Hubs' mum's cousin and her husband along with plenty of family tree talk; closely followed by a visit from a long-time friend of Hubs' who works as a minister in Donegal (Ireland) then a lazy tea (read: I threw everything in a pot and it turned out edible - hurrah) before I attended my best friend's baby shower (silly games, lots of giggles, advice and hugs as she looks toward a premature induction for baby's sake). Home about midnight so today (Saturday) is very lazy (pizza tea) and this the week ahead looks positively empty of plans (only Sunday school, church, gymnastics class and toddler group).

I'll leave you with a little stop and smell the roses (and thank God for them) poem:

Stop for a Moment by David Waddell

With human minds we emotionally bind ourselves to things we cannot see.
Hopelessly setting a course that will deprive us of the strings of peace that were given to you and me.

We often pass up rainbows, a spring shower, a sunset, or even just a smile.
Yet in the name of prosperity and growth we’ll go the extra mile.

God gave us the ability to experience the delicate sides of this earth.
But often we don’t allow ourselves to fully appreciate what it’s worth.

Have you ever whistled with a songbird, been touched by a breeze, or smelt the seasons in the air?
Or did you just consider them daily problems and not ever really care?

Have you ever had a falling leaf placed gently at your feet?
Carried by a loving wind just for you to meet.

Did you let it say good morning friend, or kick it to the side?
Thinking that you’re late for work or you’ll never catch your ride.

During a crowded traffic jam have you ever looked up high?
To see how God directs the clouds as they go flying through the sky.

What was your thought today as you tumbled out of bed?
“Thank you Lord for this day” or “Man do I feel dead”.

You see it’s up to us to find these things as we’re travelling down life’s road.
Because God sends these gifts to cross our paths and relieve our heavy load.

Now head back to Kelly @ This Ain't The Lyceum for more quick takes. (89)