Have decided to change my blog....seeing as Christmas is over....the red and green were wrecking my buzz and I felt I needed something a little more serene. This is a work in progress methinks as I'd love to do a funky banner across the top.....
....watch this space.
Must now go and find a reasonable photograph of myself not in a santa hat!
Friday, January 05, 2007
The ultimate to do list....
I'm a real list girl and when I saw this on Caroline's blog this morning I said - I must go through it. You highlight the items you've done. The green entries are mine.
1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you’ and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa (went to visit but stairs were not open to public - I think that still counts!)
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day - love this idea!!
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland.............does living here count?
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice - ridiculously expensive!
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (or…raising children)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country - dunno about exotic...
100. Picked up and moved to another city to start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge - this is where the exotic cycling also came in!
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon - geez there seems to be a recurring pattern of nearly doing things....Pisa, Golden Gate, Venice and now the grand canyon...prob will not be going back
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes ... yum!
134. Read The Iliad
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life
1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you’ and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa (went to visit but stairs were not open to public - I think that still counts!)
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day - love this idea!!
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland.............does living here count?
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice - ridiculously expensive!
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (or…raising children)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country - dunno about exotic...
100. Picked up and moved to another city to start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge - this is where the exotic cycling also came in!
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon - geez there seems to be a recurring pattern of nearly doing things....Pisa, Golden Gate, Venice and now the grand canyon...prob will not be going back
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes ... yum!
134. Read The Iliad
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Unique Ability
Yesterday I spent the afternoon identifying my Unique Ability as part of an exercise at work. We are doing a course to improve our management skills and this was session three. To begin, we had to contact friends and family and ask what they thought our strengths were. We also completed an on-line quiz. The best case scenario is that both sets of answers are relatively similar or else you see yourself very differently to how others see you. Thankfully, similar nice comments came in from my sister, sister in law, husband and friend.
So we had a big long session with our advisor lady yesterday to identify our Unique Ability. The idea would be that you try to ensure that the majority of the work you do each day utilises your Unique Ability which means that you enjoy what you do and get the most out of what you do. It's not unique for you unless it meets the 4 criteria below:
1. It is a superior ability that other people notice and value (which is why we had to ask people)
2. You are passionate about using it and want to use it as much as possible (time passes more quickly when you are doing certain things)
3. It's energising both for you and others around you
4. There is a sense of never ending improvement - you keep getting better and better and never run out of possibilities of growth
We had to go though a list of all the characteristics people had listed for us and pick the ones we thought fitted in most with the 4 points above.The idea is that you would be narrowed down to two or three and it's from them that you compile your Unique Ability. We found that some things - like reliability, are inate and so not really an ability as much as just the way things are. It's not something you would be passionate about but it is a defining characteristic.
My top three were ideation (coming up with ideas), creativity and practical so my Unique Ability Statement has worked out as ' My unique ability is the ability to generate and translate ideas into a creative but practical solution'.
Your UA must be relevant to everything in life, from cooking a meal, washing a car, or completing a project.....not just job related. I thought it was interesting because my train of thought would usually be 'that's a good idea, how could I do that in an interesting way, hmmm, maybe not very practical - what about this as a more practical way of doing it' so even buying the kettle for my MIL at Christmas was - I know where i can get a kettle, wow, a green kettle would be v. cool, but she doesn't like the whistle and it's not very big, ok so, a big silver kettle in the same shop would be a better idea.....
I didn't think it was particularly unique, but one of the points she made is that your Unique Ability is something so natural to you that you assume everyone can do it, because it comes so easy to you. Interesting!
The book we used to help identify our strengths is 'Now, Discover your Strengths' by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O Clifton. When you get the book you enter a code on the back into a website which gives you an on-line test to identify your strengths.
Interesting times....and good at the beginning of the new year!
So we had a big long session with our advisor lady yesterday to identify our Unique Ability. The idea would be that you try to ensure that the majority of the work you do each day utilises your Unique Ability which means that you enjoy what you do and get the most out of what you do. It's not unique for you unless it meets the 4 criteria below:
1. It is a superior ability that other people notice and value (which is why we had to ask people)
2. You are passionate about using it and want to use it as much as possible (time passes more quickly when you are doing certain things)
3. It's energising both for you and others around you
4. There is a sense of never ending improvement - you keep getting better and better and never run out of possibilities of growth
We had to go though a list of all the characteristics people had listed for us and pick the ones we thought fitted in most with the 4 points above.The idea is that you would be narrowed down to two or three and it's from them that you compile your Unique Ability. We found that some things - like reliability, are inate and so not really an ability as much as just the way things are. It's not something you would be passionate about but it is a defining characteristic.
My top three were ideation (coming up with ideas), creativity and practical so my Unique Ability Statement has worked out as ' My unique ability is the ability to generate and translate ideas into a creative but practical solution'.
Your UA must be relevant to everything in life, from cooking a meal, washing a car, or completing a project.....not just job related. I thought it was interesting because my train of thought would usually be 'that's a good idea, how could I do that in an interesting way, hmmm, maybe not very practical - what about this as a more practical way of doing it' so even buying the kettle for my MIL at Christmas was - I know where i can get a kettle, wow, a green kettle would be v. cool, but she doesn't like the whistle and it's not very big, ok so, a big silver kettle in the same shop would be a better idea.....
I didn't think it was particularly unique, but one of the points she made is that your Unique Ability is something so natural to you that you assume everyone can do it, because it comes so easy to you. Interesting!
The book we used to help identify our strengths is 'Now, Discover your Strengths' by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O Clifton. When you get the book you enter a code on the back into a website which gives you an on-line test to identify your strengths.
Interesting times....and good at the beginning of the new year!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Playing Catch up....
...so even a new year resolution of 'I will blog every day' has been broken. It's the second day of the new year and I haven't blogged in ages. Home is like a time warp and I like it that way. I checked on line every now and again, but I really only associate blogging and forum hopping with my desk at work. This may be a bad thing (from a work perspective) but not so bad from a relaxation point of view. I had a very relaxing and uneventful Christmas...just as I like it.
I probably will journal a little every day this week about things we got up to over the holidays, but best first start with a list to gather my thoughts....
Friday the 22nd - day after Christmas Party....went to see accountant (good news) and went in to town to get the last of the presents. Headed home to Mountbellew. Quiet night.
Sat the 23rd - lazed for the day, wrapped presents and tried to finish off Elaine's book - no joy.
Headed in to Oranmore for Brian's party. Had a bit of a cold but suffered on. Made up for it by drinking too much and playing singstar. Met up with Tina, Lorraine and Cormac.
Sun the 24th - Christmas Eve - Had (what now is considered) a lie in, till 12 noon. Packed up and headed home, hoping not to get breathalized considering we didn't get to bed till 4 the night before. Headed out to Moylough for Supper and opened all the presents. Made garlic potatoes for supper (obviously list in wrong order!)
Eilis got this bath set for her dolly from her godfather.....assembly required! lucky he's a woodwork and construction teacher!
Dropped Eilis into our house and went to 9 o'clock mass in Moylough. No Little Jeshua this year...it was missed. Back into our house and had mulled wine. Mam and Dad went to midnight mass. Girls stayed up and boozed with us.
Mon - Christmas Day - Woke at 8.30 and all opened presents together in the sitting room. Fabby presents all round. Dinner in Moylough. Here's all the kiddies ready for dinner....
and came home in the evening and played cards etc with Michael M. Generally ate more junk than one could imagine possible. Aunty Chris was in our house for dinner, christmas etc.
Tue - Stephen's Day - Packed up and hit for Cornamona. Actually should be, packed up Turkey and hit for Cornamona. Old folks in good form and glad to see Eilis. Went for a walk and Peter called in. Generally chilled and headed home. Here's Tony and Sharon showing Eilis how to do an 'I'm on top of the world' - Titanic Moment!
Was not in good form with the cold, blocked nose, etc but was persuaded out by my husband who knows better. Made it into town at 11.15pm. Absolutely packed but met loads of old school friends and had a good night. He knows all I need is a bottle of beer and I'm the life and soul of the party.....head colds can wait!
Wed 27th - Evening we went to our neighbour Helen's father's funeral. Headed over to Abbey to meet the other grandparents. Went to mass for mick lane and met some of the neighbours. All in good form there too.
Thurs 28th - Went out for dinner with the Conneely cousins in Athlone. Good fun. All the ladies. Here's me, my mum and sisters.
Headed back to Moylough where they were all awake and on the beer!
Fri 29th - Sales - TOny and I headed into Galway to return some bits and pieces. Were in early and out for dinner. Went to sportsfield with Noreen and generally took it easy for the evening. Called to Kevin and Cathy and baby Cian in their new house.
Sat 30th - Called to Mike and Jackie and baby Catherine. Persuaded them to go out in Moylough to National School Fundraising dance. Won a bottle of wine in raffle. Good night had by all. John and Noreen out as well as Eileen and Ann F.
Sun 31st - New Year's Eve. Dinner in Moylough with Patsy and Micheal. Aunt Maggie (Lena's aunt) funeral. Laurence and Doris got engaged so night out in Mountbellew. Here they are in the pic
Good fun. Lots of kisses!!
Mon 1st - New Year's Day. Tony farming so we chilled and watched Anna and the King and Chitty Chitty bang bang between making dinner including delish roast veg soup. Sick of turkey now. Packed up and back to Renmore....the Christmas is over!
Oh did I mention I played the double bass at our christmas party....found this pic!
I probably will journal a little every day this week about things we got up to over the holidays, but best first start with a list to gather my thoughts....
Friday the 22nd - day after Christmas Party....went to see accountant (good news) and went in to town to get the last of the presents. Headed home to Mountbellew. Quiet night.
Sat the 23rd - lazed for the day, wrapped presents and tried to finish off Elaine's book - no joy.
Headed in to Oranmore for Brian's party. Had a bit of a cold but suffered on. Made up for it by drinking too much and playing singstar. Met up with Tina, Lorraine and Cormac. Sun the 24th - Christmas Eve - Had (what now is considered) a lie in, till 12 noon. Packed up and headed home, hoping not to get breathalized considering we didn't get to bed till 4 the night before. Headed out to Moylough for Supper and opened all the presents. Made garlic potatoes for supper (obviously list in wrong order!)
Eilis got this bath set for her dolly from her godfather.....assembly required! lucky he's a woodwork and construction teacher!Dropped Eilis into our house and went to 9 o'clock mass in Moylough. No Little Jeshua this year...it was missed. Back into our house and had mulled wine. Mam and Dad went to midnight mass. Girls stayed up and boozed with us.
Mon - Christmas Day - Woke at 8.30 and all opened presents together in the sitting room. Fabby presents all round. Dinner in Moylough. Here's all the kiddies ready for dinner....
and came home in the evening and played cards etc with Michael M. Generally ate more junk than one could imagine possible. Aunty Chris was in our house for dinner, christmas etc.Tue - Stephen's Day - Packed up and hit for Cornamona. Actually should be, packed up Turkey and hit for Cornamona. Old folks in good form and glad to see Eilis. Went for a walk and Peter called in. Generally chilled and headed home. Here's Tony and Sharon showing Eilis how to do an 'I'm on top of the world' - Titanic Moment!
Was not in good form with the cold, blocked nose, etc but was persuaded out by my husband who knows better. Made it into town at 11.15pm. Absolutely packed but met loads of old school friends and had a good night. He knows all I need is a bottle of beer and I'm the life and soul of the party.....head colds can wait!
Wed 27th - Evening we went to our neighbour Helen's father's funeral. Headed over to Abbey to meet the other grandparents. Went to mass for mick lane and met some of the neighbours. All in good form there too.
Thurs 28th - Went out for dinner with the Conneely cousins in Athlone. Good fun. All the ladies. Here's me, my mum and sisters.
Headed back to Moylough where they were all awake and on the beer!Fri 29th - Sales - TOny and I headed into Galway to return some bits and pieces. Were in early and out for dinner. Went to sportsfield with Noreen and generally took it easy for the evening. Called to Kevin and Cathy and baby Cian in their new house.
Sat 30th - Called to Mike and Jackie and baby Catherine. Persuaded them to go out in Moylough to National School Fundraising dance. Won a bottle of wine in raffle. Good night had by all. John and Noreen out as well as Eileen and Ann F.
Sun 31st - New Year's Eve. Dinner in Moylough with Patsy and Micheal. Aunt Maggie (Lena's aunt) funeral. Laurence and Doris got engaged so night out in Mountbellew. Here they are in the pic
Good fun. Lots of kisses!!Mon 1st - New Year's Day. Tony farming so we chilled and watched Anna and the King and Chitty Chitty bang bang between making dinner including delish roast veg soup. Sick of turkey now. Packed up and back to Renmore....the Christmas is over!
Oh did I mention I played the double bass at our christmas party....found this pic!
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