Guitar

Joe picked up my guitar and taught himself a couple of chords.  I helped him a bit.  He also made up a bass riff.  He is very clever.  He has picked it all up like a natural.  This is all super good as I always knew he had these musical beans in him, so now our dreams of making music and being in a band together really can come true.  We've had a band name for years...

PS.  From today, I'm going to title each day with a word to reflect its essence for me, rather than a number, as the numbers have got a bit boring.

PPS.  Don't forget to share the best of your day on this blog...

Day 14

1.  We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary.  This included a lazy morning, a walk on Hampstead Health and an Indian takeaway.
2.  I am blessed.

Day 13 - Addendum

My cousin Shauna achieved great results in her GCSEs.  She has had a very tough few years, so this is all the more a significant achievement.

Day 13

1.  Met my new 2nd cousin, Henry George Mathieson, for the first time.  He is very cute.  And looks like a freaky combination of all the Mathieson men I know.  Added bonus - also got to hang out with his mum and dad, Ben (cousin) and Claire (cousin in law).  Note - Henry doesn't look freaky at all.  He is gorgeous.
2.  Saw the Rude Britannia exhibition of British comic art since 1500 at the Tate Britain
3.  Ben wondered whether Granny Peg would be having a party for her 90th next year, and, if so, whether it would include a replay of the "incident" at her 80th party - she got drunk on Guiness, fell in a flower bed in my dad's garden, then tried to blame it on my Uncle's over-zealous dancing with her!  Reminiscing about this always makes me laugh so hard.
4.  Had a jolly evening out with Seb and Elaine, which involved good food at Petek's Turksih restaurant.  They are good company.  And inspiring.

(note to self - the process of writing this blog has made me realise that many of the things that make me happy involve food).

Day 12

1.  Had croissant and chocolate berliner for breakfast
2.  Woke up to a lovely sunny morning whilst flat sitting for Emma and Pete in Crouch End
3.  Had a good discussion with the woman at the CND stall at Crouch End shops
4.  Learned how to make and then tasted delicious cocktails at Erin's hen do.
5.  Met some interesting and inspiring women at Erin's Hen do.  Including her little dog Ella!

Day 11

1.  On my day off, I didn't spend all my time doing "jobs" and I didn't feel guilty
2.  We had "Spanish tea", one of my faves.  This involves getting some nice fresh crusty bread, manchego cheese, cheddar (not very spanish), a selection of cold cured meats and sun-dried tomatoes, laying it all out on the table, then eating it.  This was followed by the newly initiated "polish pudding" which involves getting a berliner and other interesting creamy pastries from Kani shop across the road (where I get my bread) and then eating that.
3.  It is our 2 year wedding anniversary weekend so the above is all in aid of this special time.
4.  On the drive to London, I saw a big orange moon.
5.  Popped to Seb and Elaine's to pick up the keys to Emma and Pete's flat and ate one of Elaine's famous cupcakes.  It was really good.  I was relieved, because I didn't want it to be crap and pretend it wasn't.

Day 10

1.  I had a fruitful day at work
2.  I think I made a difference today - I got to help a dear friend who has helped me.  This is v good in my book.
3.  I chewed the fat with my Dad, including such issues as the need to start a new political party and/or a revolution.  How do you go make a start with these things?  That's what we'll talk about next time.
4.  I spoke to my Uncle Andy, which doesn't happen enough.

Day Nine

The nicest thing someone said to me today -  "Live long and prosper and may the fairies sprinkle happy dust on your duvet every night".  All the more poignant as the man that said to me had just spent 90 minutes, fully conscious, in eye surgery.  This is the second time this week I have felt humbled by a person who is experiencing extremely difficult times, yet still finds the strength to offer others comfort and support.  Nuff respect.

Day Eight

1.  I managed to get up bright and early
2.  I enjoyed giving Kristen a massage, even though I thought I might be too tired after a busy day at work
3.  I kept a positive mood for whole day for a second day running.

Day Seven

1.  I didn't let the bastards grind me down
2.  I think my low mood of the last week has finally lifted
3.  I loved the bright sunny freshness after the numerous summer downpours today

Days Five and Six

I stayed away over night so I'm doing a weekend post.
1.  I went horse-riding with Ria, through the fields along the River Trent.  It was as exhilarating as ever.  I rode a horse called Worzel.   He has a crewcut and is a bad ass horse.  I rode him for the first time last time I went and he did keep me on my toes.  I am quite new to the equestrian life.  He wanted to race with the all the other horses, and I did not, but I kind of did, so we did, and I managed to stay on, but only just.  This week I rode him again and felt like I was getting a better raport with him, which meant I didn't fear for my life quite so much.  The thing is, the fear for my life is one of the main things I like about horseriding.
2.  It was great to see Ria really getting the hang of the rising trot and getting a buzz for riding like I do.  She was sooooo great just giving it all a go and eventually getting a few steps of canter.  I love that she loves it.
3.  My friend came over for a massage and I was able to help her in her time of sadness.  And even though she's in the thick of it at the moment, she helped me.
4.  I taught two small boys the joys of pyromania at a garden party last night.
5.  I'm honoured that little Jo-Jo hung out with me last night.  He is the cutest, coolest 4 year old!!
6.  Emma and Jon gave us a lovely bed to sleep in, even though space was at a premium.  I can't cope with airbeds anymore.  Emma and Jon's house is lovely.
7.  I met Oliver, Diane and Jon's new baby.
8.  Me and 'im stopped off at Burghley House in Stamford on the way home.  It was such a lovely sunny day we didn't want to be in the car all afternoon.  After getting attacked by a wasp whilst trying to eat humous, we found a secluded spot in the shade of some amazing tall trees, and lay in the cool, rejuvenating grass.  I took my shoes off and buried my feet in the grass.  It smelt of summer holidays.

Burghley House

Me and the trees

9.  Me and 'im went the the OK American Diner on the A1 on the way home.  Mmmmmmmmmilkshake is all I can say....
What an excellent weekend.

Day Four

Ella and Millie playing my piano

1.  Having assumed it was broken beyond repair after it fell out of my car boot and into the road, I found out that all my slr digital camera lens needed was a good yank in the right direction to make it as good as new again.  Thanks Mr man in the Calumet camera shop in Sneinton Market - you have saved me at least £100!!

2.  After not picking up my guitar for some weeks, I did today, and was happy to find that I am still able to play and sing "Feels like heaven" (my favourite Cure song du moment) to an acceptable and satisfying standard.  I even started thinking I might brave an airing of it at open mic night.  Think I need to get a better acoustic guitar before I do.

3.   I also played the piano today.  I love playing music and do not do it nearly enough.  Doing this blog and the threat of redundancy have inspired me to spend at least half an hour a day in some musical endeavour.  Maybe one day I will make a living from my number one passion.

Day Three

1. A woman dropped some litter in the street, then picked it up
2. I smiled at a stranger and they smiled back at me
3. Third time lucky - after several attempts, me and 'im had lovely tapas at Bar de Nada.  The time you arrive is the price you pay for 3 dishes and bread per person.  So we paid £5.15 each.  Neat!
4.  Watched "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" at the cinema - it was a satisfying adaptation - phew!

Day Two

The lillies in my garden smell divine.  I get whiffs of them through the bathroom window when I'm in the shower.  

My neighbourhood is full of people from all over the world, which, amongst other good things, means I get to eat yummy food very easily, very often and very cheaply.
 

Day One

1. I started this blog and it feels good
2. Two friends give me news of new and healthy pregnancies
3. Another friend reminds me that things happen at the right time for the right reason.  This image is a powerful reminder to me of this.

My great great granny's grave in Swansea Jewish Ceremony.  She and her husband came to Liverpool, England from Lithuania via Latvia to flee persecution in the late 1800s

Day minus One

1. Ria told me about blogging.  I decided to do it.  Thanks Ria!
2. Jack and Ria are ace.  I have such a splendid brother.  I love him very much and he loves me.

A bit about this blog

Up and down, up and down, up further and down further, day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute -  that's the way it goes for me most of the time.  My world is good, my world is bad.  I see the good, I see the bad, but the bad sticks more.  I love the ups, but the downs get me down, the black dog days.  

So my blog is my document of all the good things I see in my world - to keep me focused on the rays of sunshine that are always beaming down, even though sometimes I can't see them because of the dark clouds that often get in the way.

This blog is a compendium of the good things that happen to me each day, or the good things I see or hear going about my day to day life.  Each day I might post a photo of something good I've seen or that reminds me of something good.

Because I've decided to post something everyday, it will make sure I find at least one good thing that happened to me today.  Even if it doesn't feel like anything good happened.  I will need to find it.  By focusing on the little rays of sunshine, I may be able to keep the dark clouds at bay.

Please feel free to add the good thing that happened to you today.