Monthly Archives: April 2008

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No. 6

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e.darcy

We viewed our first apartment, we have the keys in hand still…. I just have to make the call tonight to see if we still get to keep it! It's perfect… Two bedroom, two bathroom, office, two storey… large sitting room, cute little kitchen.

Just keeping my fingers crossed that it will all work out well!
Steven and I have just been spending the rest of the day talking about having our own place… Imaging ourselves blah blah. We first went to see it last night-we have the only set of keys and went back today to sit on the couches and imagine living there. I think we'll fit right in.

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e.darcy

I'll share some pictures with you if we get it…

Ta until then!

By edarcy | Posted in {daily} | Comments (5)

Little Boys…

Fill up the kitchen sink. Add in a few plastic toys. After a while add some bubbles–and you'll have hours and hours of endless entertainment. I haven't even introduced playing with shaving cream in the water yet!

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e.darcy

Meanwhile, the little man is still on my mind. Last week they thought that he would be good enough to go home today–and well, today, that story has changed. I would update with all the facts and figures but I'm not in the know as of yet… All I know is, he's sick, and fighting-and I want so much to heal him-and let him be with his family.

If I could have any wish right now, little Wyatt, it'd be for you.

By edarcy | Posted in {daily} | Comments (4)

Kids Say The Darndest Things

{Cian} What are you doing?

{me} Putting on make-up.

{Cian} Why?

{me} Because I'm trying to cover up the spots on my face…

{Cian} Why? I already saw them.

{me} I know, but I don't want everyone else to see them. They embarrass me.

{Cian} Yeah well, I think everyone already did see them.

When I was thirteen and I first started breaking out, this would have left me in tears. In fact, it did happen when I was thirteen and I was left even redder faced and crushed. It happened all throughout high school as well. Left in tears in the bathroom to try to get away from a boy making fun of my spots.

I've never been particularly confident or proud of the way I look, body, skin, blaaah. I also know that I'm not the only one, because every girl can be a douche about their looks.

But now, as I'm older–and for some reason the evil things have reappeared (after years of harsh treatments, chemicals and drugs). It just doesn't faze me anymore. Lorraine [5] told me the other day 'You have a lot of spots on your face!'

Damn.

I hoped I was the only one who noticed them….

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e.darcy

By edarcy | Posted in {daily} | Comments (2)

The Love Letters

I've always been a pack-rat. I keep pieces of paper, napkins, cut outs from magazines, letters…just about anything that I feel like I might need/use/want in the future. Then I go through these phases of cleaning the clutter-it all goes… and then about two weeks later I regret it, I wish I still had that damn (fill in the blank).

But tonight I'm picking up and changing from my e-mail account, which, I've kept the same Yahoo account since my internet life first existed, and now I'm getting rid of the e-mail address that first arrived when I met the husband and love of my life. I'm a sentimental fool and have kept e-mails from him since 2004.

I'm glad I did–they came in handy when the immigration officials wanted evidence of our relationship, evidence you want? I'll give you so much damn evidence you'll feel like throwing up. Love letters, e-mails of teary lonesome nights, pictures galore…

So now, as I am about to get rid of that e-mail address, I feel this pang of regret, this overwhelming feeling that I'll want these e-mails…

They have such a history written in them. Uncertainty of ever meeting, puppy love, jealousy and fear of losing the other–long distance craaap, and then the heart break of being apart… The very last e-mail that he ever wrote me was before I moved to Ireland (the first time).

I can't really even read them now. Not only do they make me all emotional and teary-reading about our young relationship… We've grown into so much more now. We're built on a strong foundation of trust, of communication and of love.

Oh maybe I can keep them for a few more months…. sigh

By edarcy | Posted in {daily} | Comments (5)

Battery Operated Baby

We’ve been waking up early every morning to await the arrival of Postman Pat and Carl the Courier (probably more like Paddy and John) anyway, there's the excitement and tension—and occasional disappointment.

The husband is one big child.

Sitting near the window waiting for the green van to pull in, eyes all lit up and big when a package emerges…

Joy sticks and steering wheels, mice and sound systems… Creating tangles of cables all leading up to power the many toys the big kid owns.

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e.darcy

Not that I’m complaining, I get to enjoy the best of computer equipment, photo editing software, monitors side by side… and in a weeks time I should have a new baby to welcome to my camera bag…

By edarcy | Posted in {daily} | Comments (3)

Dear Alice,

Your advice gave me the kick up the arse that I needed. You were just so right on-and well, the tickets are booked!

We’re leaving on an early morning of July and bathing in the hot Spanish sun for two weeks until August… I’m so excited!

I didn’t even feel the money go. I’m already planning on what to pack and what I want to see. Markets and beaches, mixes of different cultures coming together speaking colours of languages.

Thanks, Alice…You are the best.

By edarcy | Posted in {daily} | Comments (3)

My Heart Aches

These tender days…

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When they really should be all cuddled and warm in their sweet tender cocoon–they're spending their time in the hospital… Voices of love, and tenderness and healing whispering their way through his tiny ears.

I wasn't planning on sharing this photo-but I thought that I must, my heart is aching and I need everyone to send their love and strength to my Wyatt who is trying to recover from a staph infection.

By edarcy | Posted in {daily} | Comments (6)

Things I've Learned In My Life So Far

Quite a few of the bloggers I read have jumped on the ‘Bucket List’ idea, and created a list of 100 things they’d love to do before they die…

And while I think that this is a fabulous idea, it sets some goals, dreams, and potentially plans of amazing things that we should fulfill our life, with a glass half full approach-I’m more interested in knowing what you would leave behind.

What life lessons, what wisdom would you bestow? What are some things that you have learned in your life- so far, that you would pass down to your generations.

  1. Save your work
  2. Liberating your mind feels wonderful
  3. I am responsible for my own happiness
  4. You are NOT as fat as you imagine!
  5. Beauty can be found anywhere
  6. Share good things.
  7. Innocence is rare.
  8. Words are powerful
  9. Smile.
  10. Home is where the people you love are.
  11. Start the day off happy
  12. Life is unpredictable
  13. Some places are not as interesting as they look.
  14. I might not see any of these people ever again.
  15. Don’t take things too seriously
  16. Take a moment, locate yourself.
  17. Hard goals are worth it
  18. Don’t give up.
  19. You’re life is always better than someone else’s
  20. Always know where the exit is.
  21. Be brave: monsters aren’t real.
  22. Be honest. All good lies come to an end.
  23. Take care of the people you love.
  24. Do the things that matter to you.
  25. Don’t say maybe when you really mean no.
  26. Embrace mistakes
  27. Doing things just for fun-is fun.
  28. Worrying solves nothing.
  29. Love can make you unreasonable
  30. Feeling stupid is okay.
  31. The end. Is always a beginning.
  32. Live curious.
  33. Over time, you get used to everything-and start taking things for granted.
  34. Everybody always thinks they are right.
  35. Shit happens.
  36. Listen.
  37. Never settle for anything.
  38. Be a good winner, and an even better loser.
  39. Invest in a good bra.
  40. Cherish being a child, it only lasts a few years-you have your whole life to be an adult.
  41. The best teachers are those that are passionate, and often the ones that surprise us and stay with us forever.
  42. There are some things that are just worth waiting for.
  43. Save money for expensive things
  44. Take pride in the things that you love
  45. Embrace your faults, they are what makes you beautiful.
  46. Don’t bite your nails.
  47. Gossip is ugly.
  48. Be a sponge, soak up as much as you can.
  49. When in Rome—for god’s sake, put your tourist things away and do as the Romans do.
  50. Enjoy summers outside.
  51. Don’t waste your time being negative
  52. Think twice about who you befriend, and who you leave out.
  53. Don’t liter.
  54. Make the most of holidays, parades, and major events.
  55. Build wonderful memories with the people  you love.
  56. Take pictures
  57. Sticks and stones might break your bones, but words are our greatest defense. Use them wisely, be smart and quick.
  58. Commit to what you love, regardless.
  59. Make silly faces at children.
  60. Leave places better than you found them
  61. Plant something on Earth Day
  62. Keep an open mind.
  63. Knowledge is power
  64. Experience as many cultures as you can
  65. Learn basic survival skills
  66. Give money to great musicians on the street
  67. Tip for good service
  68. Learn some family recipes
  69. Start your own traditions
  70. Take compliments gracefully
  71. Give compliments freely, and whole heartedly
  72. Don’t do anything half arsed.
  73. Believe in something greater than humankind.
  74. There are many forms of love
  75. You’re mom will always be there for you, be there for her.
  76. Keep promises
  77. 15 minutes early is right on time.
  78. Be prepared to entertain yourself, carry paper and pen. It always comes in handy when in the doctors office or entertaining bored children.
  79. Ask questions
  80. Offer to help.
  81. Accept help when given
  82. Refrain from popping pimples
  83. Laughter is the best medicine
  84. Sometimes you need a good cry…
  85. Return found items to their owners—but expect nothing in return.
  86. Don’t give to a charity that begs.
  87. Keep pictures in your wallet
  88. Find a stray animal a good home.
  89. Know that all politicians are corrupt
  90. Never trust a deal too good to be true
  91. Learn some card games
  92. Have family photos taken
  93. Don’t ask for advice when it’s not wanted
  94. Respect other religions
  95. Swap stories with the passenger next to you on a plane
  96. Nobody can cook as good as your mom and dad
  97. Live freely, but don’t end up with debt.
  98. Learn from mistakes
  99. Sometimes it feels deliciously naughty to eat breakfast for dinner, and dinner for breakfast.
  100. Tell the ones you love, that you love them-as much as you can.

It may be daunting, 100 things-but leave me a list of at least five bits of wisdom, five kind words of advice, or five things you’ve learned in your life so far that you’d want to pass on.

By edarcy | Posted in inspiration, opportunity | Comments (5)

Ask Alice

The in-laws are planning on going to Spain this summer. (which isn’t any surprise seeing that they go like, every summer) and well, what’s the point of me living in this country without taking advantage of all the other great countries that are just a hop skip and a jump away?

So when will the irresponsible, spontaneous, fun and adventurous Erin come out to play? I want to go so bad—but then I think about…money.

What would it take for you to just drop the cash and take off? How do you decide to take the stressful risk-knowing that hell- that money is going to be spent on rent or food or something else boring when it could be spent on memories and travel and experience and THE WORLD.

Help me, backpacking hippies, world-travelling junkies, and just plain dreamers. I need to get some balls, I need some spontaneity.

Tell me what you would do:

  1. You're unemployed, living with in-laws…But you DO have a steady wage coming in that you soon plan to move out on.
  2. You're living within a two hour flight to Spain, the private villa (yes, I said villa, as in Spanish Villa) is paid for-you just have to pay for flights and food while there.
  3. You're young, and married…
By edarcy | Posted in {daily} | Comments (7)

Imagine all the people

I never had an imaginary friend when I was growing up, but I’m told that I used to talk to our angel (she’s a hand sculpted statue given to my mom).

This didn’t stop me though, I would try my best to create an imaginary friend… Pretending to believe in it-trying to convince myself that I was holding their hand, pushing them on the swing, inviting them for dinner… but then I’d forget about them. Sit on them, leave them outside-I forgot that I had ‘someone’ with me. Oops.

It just didn’t work…

I really wanted one, I knew people who had them-but now as I’m older I realize that they are really just crazy people who talked to themselves…

By edarcy | Posted in {daily} | Comments (5)